Dangerous Turf by D. M. O'Byrne

Tonya Callahan is struggling to become a jockey in the male-dominated world of Thoroughbred racing. But there is something more sinister then sexism at work at the small Southwestern track where Tonya lives with her father, a successful trainer. Just as she is about to obtain her apprentice jockey’s license, the body of the first of two murdered Hispanics is found. The efforts of the local police are hampered by a lack of resources and small town politics. The police lieutenant, nearing retirement, considers the deaths of two “wetbacks” a nuisance keeping him from enjoying his last days on the job. So Tonya becomes a reluctant amateur sleuth, determined to find the killer. Following a trail of clues that include circled entries from racing programs found near each body, Tonya uncovers a twisted web of bigotry and sexism that leads her to three suspects—including Mike Torres, a fiery jockey, who both frightens and intrigues her…