Apprentice jockey Ferrin Peterson won for the first time on the Southern California daytime Thoroughbred circuit aboard Royal Seeker ($6.80) in Friday's first race for $8,000 claimers.

Make that, Dr. Ferrin Peterson.

The 27-year-old California native graduated from University-California at Davis in late May with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. Not surprisingly, Peterson specialized in equine studies.

In the last few years, Peterson completed her studies while riding occasionally through the state. She has won 16 races and had two wins earlier this summer at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton. Peterson won a Thoroughbred race at the night meeting here last December.

After Friday's win, Peterson said she plans to continue riding on the SoCal daytime circuit at Del Mar, which opens its summer meeting on Wednesday. Peterson, who has a seven-pound apprentice claim, said she may do veterinary work in addition to riding races this summer, but plans to focus on her career as a jockey in the short-term.