For the Reporter

Matt Hagerty is in the win column.

The apprentice jockey, who became officially eligible to ride when he turned 18 on May 31, collected the first victory of his career when he guided Pavan Raj to the wire ahead of the field in Thursday’s sixth race at Emerald Downs.

Hagerty rode the 4-year-old British Columbia-bred gelding to a 1¼-length victory in the one-mile claiming race for owner Mark Frangooles and trainer Vince Gibson. It was the 10th mount for Hagerty, and returned $15.40 at the mutuel windows.

“It’s great, it couldn’t be any better,” said Hagerty, soaked with buckets of ice water by his fellow jockeys following the win. “It’s great for everyone who’s supported me, all the other jockeys, Vince (Gibson), everybody.”

Leading jockeys Ricky Frazier and Kevin Radke rode two winners each on Thursday’s eight-race card, and Frazier maintains a 45-43 lead over Radke in the standings. Frazier already has 16 multiple-win days and Radke 13 in the first 28 days of the meet. One of Radke’s victories on Thursday was aboard Restless River in the 6 1/2-furlong feature race.