Trainer Farrior Secures 1,000th Career Victory
Anthony Farrior, who is on pace for a third straight season of finishing in the top 10 among trainers by wins, nailed down a milestone victory in the second race at Thistledown Oct. 1.
That race saw the Mid-Atlantic-based Farrior land the 1,000th win of his career when Conquest Dancer drew off in the stretch to post a four-length victory under jockey Erik Barbaran. Owned by Farrior, Splurgin Racing, and Ultra Championship Racing, Conquest Dancer completed the one-mile allowance race in 1:39.68 on a fast track.
This year Farrior ranks eighth in wins through Oct. 1 with 212 and 51st in earnings with more than $2.9 million. Multiple stakes winner Farrior has finished the season in the top 10 by wins and top 40 by earnings nationally in each of the past two full years
In 2023 Farrior conditioned Uncaptured Storm, who the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association named the National Claiming Horse of the Year for that season.
Wesley Ho Rides 1,000th Winner
Jockey Wesley Ho picked up his 1,000th win Sept. 29 while rallying from the back of the pack aboard Bigdaddysboy in the sixth race at Laurel Park.
Entering the stretch 10 1/2lengths behind, Ho guided the 3-year-old Imagining gelding to the center of the race track where he released a furious kick in the slop to motor down the frontrunners, winning the $25,870 event for $12,500 claimers by a neck while completing 5 ½ furlongs in 1:05.81.The No Guts No Glory Farm homebred was trained by Gina Robb.
Ho rode his first race at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races on May 10, 2007. He made his first visit to the winners' circle one week later when Island Gamble won a $12,000 maiden claiming event.
Ho picked up his first stakes victories in August 2012, winning the Nick Shuk Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park aboard Private Tutor and the Dauphin Miss Stakes at Penn National with Filare I'Oro. The latter also provided Ho with his first graded placing when second in that year's Virginia Oaks (G3T) at Colonial Downs. In total, Ho has won 10 stakes in his career.
The best year of Ho's career came in 2013 when he rode 94 winners from 533 starts for $2,094,625 in earnings. Overall, Ho has a record of 1,000-1,045-1,082 from 8,302 starts for purse earnings of $19,796,277.
Jockey Angel Cruz Rides 1,000th Winner
Angel Cruz, a finalist for the 2014 Eclipse Award for outstanding apprentice jockey, rode his 1,000th winner Sept. 19 at Delaware Park. Cruz piloted the Michael Matz-trained Late Frost to victory in the seventh race, an allowance event for Delaware-certified fillies and mares.
A native of Puerto Rico, Cruz won his first race in April 2014 at Charles Town. An avid rider on the Mid-Atlantic circuit, he landed his biggest career win aboard Dancing Rags in the 2016 Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland for trainer Graham Motion.
Cruz hails from a family of jockeys. His uncle Joel Hiraldo and grandfather Jose Hiraldo were jockeys and his cousin John Hiraldo also currently rides races.
As of September 2024, Cruz has earnings of $2,812,619 for the year and $35,338,750 lifetime.
Top Louisiana Downs Trainer Foster Picks Up 1,000th Career Win
Trainer Joseph Foster picked up career win number 1,000 when Flash N Class won the opening race on the Sept. 3 Louisiana Downs card.
A homebred for Southern Legacy Thoroughbreds ridden by Emanuel Nieves, the 4-year-old Goldencents gelding upset the field of $12,500 claimers with a gate-to-wire score by a neck at odds of 14-1.
Foster's training career began in May 1992 and he quickly reached the winner's circle whenStriker J won a $5,000 maiden claiming race at Louisiana Downs May 14 of that year in the trainer's second start.
In 1995, Foster picked up his first of 15 career stakes victories when Grand Point took the $27,100 Cajun Stakes at Louisiana Downs. Among his top horses were Sea Vow and Our Lost Love, who both won three stakes and earned over $300,000 in the Louisiana-based trainer's care.
Foster's 1,000 winners came from 7,116 starts and purse earning over $16.6 million. After taking a hiatus in 2007-2009, Foster returned in 2010 with a vengeance as both the number of starters and winners gradually increased, peaking toa career-best year in 2017 when he won 101 races from 559 starts for purse earnings of $1,544,160.
The bulk of Foster's success has come at Louisiana Downs where he led all trainers by both wins and earnings in 2016-17 and 2019. He also led all trainers by wins in 2013 and by earnings in 2012 and 2018. In the 2024 meet that ends Sept. 26, he is tied for leading trainer by wins with 28 and sits $902 shy of the earnings lead.
Louisiana Jockey Rosier Rides 1,000th Winner
Louisiana-based jockey Chris Rosier celebrated a career milestone Aug. 24 as he rode his 1,000th winner in the second race at Evangeline Downs.
In the one-mile maiden claiming event, Rosier stalked the pace aboard 4-year-old filly Lucky Bead Lady before drawing away in the stretch for a 2 1/2-length victory for trainer Glenn Delahoussaye and owner Denise Delahoussaye.
Rosier's success began early as his first career ride was a winning one on March 8, 2001, riding Lady Silk to a 4 1/4-length gate-to-wire score in an Oaklawn Park claiming Race.
Since then, Rosier's 9,181 starts have earned over $19.1 million in purses for his mounts. His best year came in 2013 when he won 160 races for earnings of $3,020,088.
In 2009, Rosier rode in the Kentucky Derby (G1) aboard eventual Eclipse Champion Summer Bird, who finished sixth. Prior to the Derby, Rosier had ridden Summer Bird to his maiden victory and a third in the Arkansas Derby (G2).
Trainer Eddie Clouston Nets 2,000th Winner
Eddie Clouston saddled his milestone 2,000th winner as a trainer when the filly Mit Mazel won the fifth race at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort Aug. 14. The daughter of Freedom Child was owned by Clouston's fiancée, Michelle Helms. He would later win his 2,001th race later on the same card with Ultimate Irony.
Formerly a trainer in upstate New York, Clouston relocated to West Virginia and has enjoyed tremendous success at the Mountaineer oval. Clouston was the track's leading trainer from 2016-2019 and was second in the standings in 2020, 2021, and 2023.
Clouston began his training career in 1985 and as of Aug. 15 has accumulated earnings of $14,091,214 from 12,432 starters.
Canadian Hall of Famer Carroll Trains 1,000th Winner
Josie Carroll addedanother chapter to her outstanding training career when she recorded her 1,000th victory Aug. 11 at Woodbine.
The conditioner earned her milestone triumph with LNJ Foxwoods' Spinzarin the fourth race,an allowance optional claiming event.
In 2006, Carroll became the first female trainer to win The Queen's Platewith Edenwold. She added a second win in the first jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown with the filly Inglorious in 2011.
In 2020, she won the Plate with eventual Horse of the Year Mighty Heart, who added a victory in the Prince of Wales Stakes 17 days later at Fort Erieandeventually became a two-time Canadian Horse of the Year.
The Ontario-born Carroll started her career under Canadian Hall of Fame trainer Mac Benson at the storied Windfields Farm. She began training on her own in 1994, picking up her first victory with Lilac Charm in a maiden special weight Sept. 21 of that year.
Other notable horses trained by Carollinclude grade 1 winners Careless Jewel and Lukes Alley, and graded stakes winners Avie's Flatter, Ami's Holiday, Amis Gizmo, Leigh Court,Serenading, and Springside.
Carroll has recorded 176 career stakes wins, 59 of them graded, and nearly $59 million in purse earnings.
She was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2019.
Ron Moquett Trains 1,000th Winner
Trainer Ron Moquett earned his1,000th victory as a trainer Aug. 5 when In Just My Heels won the third race at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
In the $34,000 allowance race, the 3-year-old daughter of Midnight Lute stalked the pace early before drawing away to win by three lengths as the favorite in the 1 1/16-mile contest.
The milestone day for Moquett got started a few hours earlier when he picked up win No. 999 at Ellis Park with Grand Prairie Gal in a maiden claiming event.
Moquett trained sent his first starter to the post in 1997 at Blue Ribbon in Sallisaw, Okla. and picked up his first winner in May 16, 1998 with Rare Money in a maiden special weight at Prairie Meadows. Just three years later, Moquett saddled his first graded winner when Asher won the 2001 Gardenia Handicap (G3) at Ellis Park.
Moquett is most known for training champion sprinter Whitmore, who is responsible for seven of the trainer's 10 graded triumphs. Whitmore, who raced in the 2016 Kentucky Derby, was a mainstay for the Moquett barn over the course of seven years from 2015-2021. His victories included the 2018 Forego Stakes (G1) and 2020 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). Moquett also trained 2006 Stephen Foster (G1) winner Seek Gold.
Starters trained by Moquett have earned more than $41 million in purse earnings. The Kentucky-based trainer had a career-best year in 2018, saddling 91 winners in 550 starts for earnings of $4,492,374
Jockey Pedro Cotto Jr. Rides 1,000th Winner
Jockey Pedro Cotto Jr. rode his 1,000th winner in North America July 27 aboard Word for Word in the second race at Delaware Park. Cotto has also won five races in Puerto Rico.
Settling off the pace, Word for Word rallied for Cotto down the stretch, winning by a neck to pull off an 11-1 upset in the $19,500 claiming event.
Cotto's riding career began in 2003 at El Comandante, now known as Camarero, in Puerto Rico before shifting his tack to the United States. Settling into the mid-Atlantic region, Cotto rode his first winner at Philadelphia Park, now known as Parx Racing, on May 26, 2003 aboard Sugar Hall in a $9,960 claiming race.
Cotto's best year by purse earnings came in 2008 when his mounts earned $2,909,831 with 95 wins, 95 seconds, and 135 thirds from 862 starts. That season stood as the winningest year of Cotto's career until he won 97 races in 2021.
In 2019, Cotto rode his first, and so far only, graded stakes winner when Sir Anthony won the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3). Through 9,127 starts, mounts ridden by Cotto have earned $25,596,490.
Catalano Trains 3,000th Winner
Trainer Wayne Catalano accomplished a career milestone July 21 as Alilnalot streaked across the Ellis Parkwire in the day's fourth race, a maiden claiming race, to become the trainer's 3,000th winner.
"I've been waiting on this one a long time," Catalano said. "I got to have my family here today and it means the world to me."
A native of New Orleans, Catalano was a hot walker for Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg as a teenager and became a jockey at age 18. He won his first of 1,792 races aboard Hellfire at Churchill Downs in 1974.
Chronic knee injuries caused Catalano to transition into training in 1983, saddling his first winner Aug. 11 of that year when Dreaming of You won an Arlington Park maiden claiming event.
Since then, Catalano has saddled horses for over 15,000 starts and accumulated purse earnings of over $76.1 million. Catalano trained his first of 49 graded stakes winners when Cuzzy Bear won the 1990 Hawthorne Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap (G3) and tallied his first of seven grade 1 wins when Dreaming of Anna won the 2006 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).
In addition to Dreaming of Anna, Catalano also trained Breeders' Cup winners She Be Wild(2009 Juvenile Fillies), Stephanie's Kitten (2011 Juvenile Fillies Turf-G2T), and Aloha West(2021 Sprint).
Jose Ortiz Hits 3,000 Wins
Jockey Jose Ortiz celebrated a career milestone June 9 as he won his 3,000th career race aboard Save the Trees in the third race at Churchill Downs.
Settling off the pace early in the six-furlong starter allowance, Ortiz swung five horses wide into the stretch, but the 3-year-old Preservationist gelding flourished in the open space. Save the Trees quickly kicked past his competition and opened up to a 2 3/4-length victory.
Ortiz returned to the winner's circle to the cheers of his family, friends, and fellow riders.
"I'm very happy," Ortiz said. "It's been a lot of races, a lot of people that helped me along the way. I'm very thankful."
Ortiz's riding career began with a bang in 2012, winning 98 races from 697 starts. Since then, Ortiz has won at least 200 races per year in all but one season since 2013, including a career-high 351 winners in 2016--leading all jockeys in North America. Horses ridden by Ortiz have won nearly $250 million.
Among Ortiz's many accomplishments are victories in the 2022 Preakness Stakes (G1) aboard Early Voting and 2017 Belmont Stakes (G1) aboard Tapwrit. Ortiz won the EclipseAward for outstanding jockey in 2017. He haswon five Breeders' Cup races and a total of 232 graded stakes, including 60grade 1 wins.
Ortiz has typically ridden in New York, but this year moved his tack to Kentucky for the springmeet at Churchill Downs.
Rodriguez Captures 2,000th Win at Penn National
Jockey Angel R. Rodriguez rode his 2,000th winner in the United States and Canada June 4 when favorite Rye Diggitydog won a $20,473 maiden claiming race at Penn National by 2 1/2 lengths for owner SAB Stable and trainer Demelza McMahon. The 3-year-old Maryland-bred gelding by Twirling Candy was making his 2024 debut.
Rodriguez has started in 11,766 races since 2001 and now piloted 2,003 winners as of June 5, according to Equibase. His winners include two in Puerto Rico, from which riding records are not included because lifetime records are now available. Rodriguez has steadily been among the top 100 riders in the U.S. and Canada, rising into the top 30 in 2016-17 by number of wins. His career win-rate is 17% and his mounts have finished in the money in 48% of their races.
Spieth Becomes Just 39th North American Jockey to Win 5,000 Thoroughbred Races
Jockey Scott Spieth rode his 5,000th Thoroughbred winner May 27 as he guided 4-year-old fillyWheelingndealing to an allowance victory in the seventh race at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa.
The 57-year-old Spieth joined an exclusive list of jockeys to accomplish the 5,000-win milestone in North America, becoming just the 39th jockey to do so.
After stalking the pace in the six-furlong contest, Spieth asked his filly at the top of the stretch and easily took command before holding off the competition to win by a length. The milestone victory was a family affair, as Wheelingndealing is trained by Spieth's wife, Aldana.
After an initial win on a Quarter Horse in 1985, Spieth started his Thoroughbred-riding career with a runner-up finish on Renee's Dish in a claiming race at Mt. Pleasant in Michigan on June 8, 1986. He earned his first victory Aug. 23, 1987, aboard Positivelyecstatic in a Mt. Pleasant allowance. His career then took off with 86 winners in 1988 and breaking 100 winners for the first time in 1989. From 1989-2014, he would have at least 100 winners in 25 of 26 years.
The winningest year of Spieth's career came in 2005when he rode 307 winners from 1,333 starts, a career-best win percentage of 23%.
The victory Monday was his sixth from 69 starts in 2024.
In total, Spieth's 5,000 winners have came from 31,877 Thoroughbred mounts.He has also finished second 4,614 times and third 4,388 times. His rides have earned $67,140,909.
He also has 13 other victories with mounts aboard breeds other than Thoroughbreds, according to Equibase.
Beato Wins 1,000th Race, Gets Started On Next Milestone
Jockey Inoel Beato won his 1,000th race May 24 when Always Mia raced to victory in the first race at Penn National.
The outcome was never in doubt once in the stretch, as Always Mia took over from pacesetter No Easy Answer and extended her lead through the lane. The Robert Photos-owned daughter of Flat Out crossed the wire 4 ¼ lengths in front for trainer Bonnie Lucas with six furlongs in 1:09.77 in the allowance optional claiming race.
Beato got started on a further milestone by winning the seventh race with Citizen Mack, again for Photos and Lucas.
Through May 24, Beato has 1,001 Thoroughbred wins from 6,983 rides in North America. His mounts have earned $19,825,628. According to Equibase statistics, he began riding in 2005 in North America and enjoyed a career-best year in 2019 with 143 wins from 699 mounts. Beato is currently riding at Penn National and other Mid-Atlantic tracks.
Juarez Hits 1,000th-Win Milestone
Jockey Nik Juarez wasted no time reaching a career milestone and beginning his push for another.
Juarez recorded his first Oaklawn riding triple April 19, highlighted by his 1,000th North American victory. The 30-year-oldreached 1,000 victories in the first race aboard favored Greek Heiress ($4.60) for trainer Lindsay Schultz and co-owners Ten Strike Racing, Four Corners Racing and Cory Moelis Racing.
"It was nice to knock it off, first one of the day," Juarez said moments after the victory.
Greek Heiress coasted home by 2 1/2 front-running lengths in the $30,000 claiming race for female sprinters. Greek Heiress covered six furlongs over a fast track in 1:11.03 after taking the field through a sharp :46.11 half-mile.
"I mean, we were rolling," Juarez said. "I knew that. That's why I never even cocked the stick. I gave one little peek to the screen (infield video board). I know they were saying goodbye."
Juarez also won Friday's third race aboard Alamo ($23.40) for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and the eighth race aboard Lake Radio ($35.80) for trainer Mike Rone. Juarez has five career riding doubles at Oaklawn.
"Great day," Juarez's agent, retired Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, said Saturday morning. "Good stuff."
Juarez's 999th career victory came aboard favored Absolute Chaos ($4.80) in the fifth race April 14 at Oaklawn. It was the jockey's third and final mount of the day. Oaklawn resumed racing Friday, which, other than reaching four digits, was business as usual for Juarez, who was stoic crossing the finish line aboard Greek Heiress.
"I was thinking about it (celebrating), but it's a claiming race," Juarez said. "Not everybody's going to know that was the 1,000th. You know what? I still haven't done a fist pump, ever, at the wire. So, I'm saving it for a grade 1."
The triple gave Juarez 21 victories at the 2023-2024 meeting and 53 overall at Oaklawn. Juarez rode 32 winners in his Oaklawn debut last season to finish sixth in the standings after previously being based on the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic. He is Oaklawn's ninth-leading rider this season.
A Maryland native and former high school wrestler, he rode his first career winner on Dec. 14, 2013, at Laurel. It was also his first career mount.
He rode a career-high six winners Jan. 11, 2016, at Laurel and ranked 22nd in North America in victories (187) and 28th ($6,459,719) in purse earnings in 2017. Juarez will be based this spring and summer at Monmouth Park, where he has 430 career victories.
Overall, Juarez has 1,002 career victories from 6,825 mounts and purse earnings of $36,274,485 in his North American career, according to Equibase. Juarez's biggest victories include the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) for 3-year-old fillies aboard Actress in 2017 at Pimlico. Juarez was named on 14 horses this week at Oaklawn and will ride in Hot Springs through at least May 3, Stevens said. Oaklawn's meeting ends May 5.
Jockey Elvin Gonzalez Reaches 1,000 Wins
Jockey Elvin Gonzalez earned his 1,000th win March 27 when he rode Hard Candy to victory at Will Rogers Downs. The milestone came in the second race of the day, an $36,000 claimer aboard the 7-year-old gelded son of Candy Ride (ARG). Gonzalez has one win in Puerto Rico.
Gonzalez began his career in 2012, and has 5,873 starts and nearly $21 million in earnings.
His best year was 2022 when he earned $3,086,832. He's finished in the top-100 in jockey wins three times (2014, 2017, 2021), and was 99th in earnings in 2021. Gonzalez has had his best success with Ain't Life Grand, earning $542,975 aboard the son of Not This Time.
Jockey Gerardo Mora Achieves 1,000th Win
Jockey Gerardo Mora captured his 1,000th win March 4 atWill Rogers Downsaboard Bryan Hawk's homebred C W Prize for trainer Joe Offolter in a $23,000 allowance. The 4-year-old is a son of Code West.
Making the milestone sweeter is that the30-year-old More was completing his comeback from a broken back sustained in 2021.
According to Equibase, Mora has ridden 8,241 mounts, with 1,000 wins, 1,104 seconds, 1,045 thirds, and earnings in excess of $16.8 million. He was the leading rider at Sam Houston Park in 2013 and 2014.
Saffie Joseph Jr. Captures 1,000th Win as Trainer
Saffie Joseph Jr. won his 1,000thrace Feb. 25, when Bridlewood Farm homebred Palace Zip won her racing debut in the 10th race at Gulfstream Park. The 3-year-old chestnut filly is a daughter of Palace Malice out of the City Zip mare Embur's Zip.
Joseph saddled his first runner as a trainer in 2011, when he won 10 races out of 44 starts. Since then, he has cultivated a 15% win rate among his first-time starters. Overall, his runners win at a 22% clip.
He has trained the winners of 80 black-type stakes, including victories in 33 graded stakes. So far in 2024, he has conditioned Royal Delta Stakes (G3) winner Honor D Lady, Forward Gal Stakes (G3) winner R Harper Rose, and Gasparilla Stakes winner Mystic Lake.
Trainer McPeek Reaches 2,000th Win at Turfway Park
Trainer Ken McPeek saddled his 2,000th career winner Feb. 21 at Turfway Park whenwhen the 3-year-old Justify filly Winnable was victorious in her debut.
A Stoneleigh Farm homebred, Winnable is out of the Curlin mare Mischievousmaximus. McPeek has a connection to Curlin, having purchased the future two-time Horse of the Year and prominent stallion at the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $57,000 as agent.
Winnable is McPeek's 117th debut winner (8.3%) from 1,414 starters.McPeek, 61, got his training license in 1985. He has won 15% of his 13,321 career starts, with earnings of $117,564,350. His horses have won 117 graded stakes and a total of 261 black type stakes races.
Smith Notches 1,000th Win as Trainer
Trainer Larry Smith won his 1,000th race Feb. 20 when Come See About It raced to victory in the fourth race at Mahoning Valley Race Course.
The Smith Red Gate Farm-owned gelding, a son of Graydar, won the $15,000 claiming race by a length under jockey Luis Rivera. The 6-year-old covered a mile on dirt in 1:41.95, returning $6 to win.
Smith has trained since the late 1970s, according to Equibase, with his stable expanding over the past decade. He won an annual-best 86 races in 2022 when his horses made more than $1.4 million. Last year, his stable won 73 races and over $1.2 million.
He is8-for-45 in 2024 with stable earnings of $174,232. His career mark stands at 1,000 Thoroughbred winners from 5,331 starters and over $11 million in earnings.
Trainer Cal Lynch Registers 1,000th Career Victory
Durr Racing Stable and Shawn Newsome's 4-year-old gelding Mosler Time, making just his second lifetime start and first with blinkers, collared pacesetter Second Wave at the top of the stretch and powered home an easy winner to give trainer Cal Lynch his 1,000th career victory in the Feb. 10 finale at Laurel Park.
Ridden by Carlos Lopez, Maryland-bred Mosler Time ($10.80) covered six furlongs over a fast main track in 1:12.25 to win the claiming event for maidens 4 and 5 years old by three lengths. It was Lynch's lone starter of the day, coming one day after jockey Forest Boyce rode her 1,000th winner at Laurel (see below).
"I'm delighted for everybody that's helped get to this point. It's all about the team," he said. "A thousand winners, a lot of people helped get there. A lot of owners and horses in 30-odd years of doing this. It's my name on there but it's because everybody did their part. We're delighted."
Lynch, 49, came to the U.S. in 1996 from Northern Ireland at the age of 19 after gaining experience training off his father's farm. His younger brother, former English apprentice champion Feargal, rides on the Maryland circuit.
According to Equibase statistics, Lynch's first training win came with Aneissa Chocolate April 11, 1997 at old Garden State Park in New Jersey, winning his first stakes with Holiest Punch in the 2001 Bold Josh Handicap at The Meadowlands. He spent 12 years based at Parx before relocating to Maryland in 2016.
Lynch won the first of his three graded stakes to date with Javerre in the 2013 General George Stakes (G3) at Laurel. The other two came in the 2017 Jerome (G3) and Withers (G3) stakes with El Areeb, who missed the Triple Crown series after suffering a knee fracture after running third in the Gotham (G3). Other top horses campaigned by Lynch include multiple stakes winners Recruiter, Buy the Best, No Cents, Miss J McKay, Francatelli, Lil Kiara and Never Gone South, Grade 2-placed Daring Reality and 17-time winner Flat Out Flying.
Lynch set career highs with 79 wins in 2014 and $2.3 million in purses earned in 2022, and has topped the $1 million mark in season earnings 16 consecutive years. His younger son, Anthony, works as his assistant while his older son, Charlie, assists trainer Brendan Walsh, currently based in South Florida.
"We're not done yet. I'll [look back] that when we're sitting on a beach in Florida in like 20 more years. Right now, we'll enjoy today," Lynch said. "I just got back from the barn doing the feed. We'll be back out there tomorrow morning and the day I don't want to do that, that's the day I'll start looking back. We have a lot of really nice young horses coming in and a good barn full of horses here. I'm very, very lucky to be able to do this every day."
Jockey Forest Boyce Wins 1,000th Thoroughbred Race
Female jockey Forest Boyce scored the 1,000th victory of her career when she guided Determined Driver home first in the seventh race at Laurel Park Feb. 9. Determined Driver is trained by Phil Schoenthal for owner D Hatman Thoroughbreds.
"I really appreciate all the support I've had this winter," Boyce said. "I've been pigeonholed a little bit as a turf rider, and everyone has really helped me out and put me on some nice dirt horses in some good spots. It's been fun."
A Baltimore native and resident of Fallston, Md., the 39-year-old Boyce was runner-up for the Eclipse Award as champion apprentice of 2010 when she won a season-high 129 races, captured riding titles at Laurel's summer and fall meets, and was the state's overall leading rider with 104 victories at Laurel and Pimlico Race Course.
Represented for years by agent Jay 'Shug' Burtis, Boyce is tied for the ninth-most wins in Maryland Million history with seven, her first coming with Pocket Patch in the 2011 Turf. Other notable victories have come with Eighttofasttocatch in the 2013 and 2014 Classic, Crabcakes in the 2017 and 2018 Distaff, and Jack's in the Deck in the 2015 Sprint. Eighttofasttocatch, now a 19-year-old foxhunter, has been at the Boyce family farm in Fallston since the summer of 2019.
Boyce attended Garrison Forest School in Owings Mills, Md., where she played on the polo team, and graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art with a degree in Fine Arts. She began working for late Hall of Fame trainer Mikey Smithwick at the age of 11 and galloped horses for Holly Robinson and the late Dickie Small at Pimlico before making her professional debut in the summer of 2009. Her first winner came aboard Colony Club June 30, 2009 at Colonial Downs.
Small-trained Fascinatin' Rhythm gave Boyce her first career stakes win in the 2010 Geisha at Laurel. Her first of five graded victories came aboard Nellie Cashman in the 2013 Virginia Oaks (G3) at Colonial.
Other graded wins for Boyce have come with Medea in the 2014 Eatontown Oaks (G3), Lunah Time in the 2015 Obeah (G3), Onus in the 2015 Commonwealth Oaks (G3T) and Doctor Mounty in the 2018 Baltimore-Washington International Turf Cup (G3T). The latter two were for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey, who regularly uses Boyce when he ships horses to Maryland.
Boyce won 46 races and more than $2.3 million in purse earnings in 2023, to push her career bankroll past $35 million including a single-season high of $3,499,421 in 2013.
"It feels really good," Boyce said. "These people (in Maryland) are the ones that got me going, so to do this here means a lot."
Trainer Caldwell Wins 1,000th Thoroughbred Race
Thoroughbred trainer J. R. Caldwell had a feeling that he would finally clinch his 1,000th career win this weekend at Sam Houston Race Park. He ran second twice on Saturday, February 3 with five entrants on Sunday. He won the second race on the program with Pickingupstrangers for Farmer Fillies Racing and clinched the milestone in the final race on Sunday, February 4 with Jackman's Ride, owned by Steve Dupy and Randy Chelf. Jockey Rene Diaz rode both winners.
It was a proud moment for Caldwell, who reflected on his training career which began in 1994.
"I never dreamed when I was growing up in Ovid, Idaho, such a small town that it doesn't even state its population, that I would ever win 1,000 races," reflected Caldwell. "This has been a long time coming!"
Caldwell was ten wins shy of the milestone before the opening weekend of the 2024 Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred meet.
"I want to thank God and my parents," he said. "I am grateful for the support of each of my owners and assistants Megan Houser and Kylie Salisbury as well as my veterinarian Dr. O'Quinn, who has looked after my horses in the last 900 starts."
Caldwell, 49, has always loved horses. He rode on the bush tracks as a young teenager and assisted his father, Roscoe, running horses in Utah, Arizona, Wyoming and Idaho for decades before going out on his own at the age of 18. The wins did not come very often in the beginning, but in 2008, the tide changed. His top earner, Texas Chrome, was a two-time Texas Thoroughbred Association Horse of the Year. Caldwell set up shop at Churchill Downs, Remington Park, Delta Downs and Lone Star Park. Several years ago, he streamlined his operation and has been pleased with his results in Texas.
His Sam Houston stakes winners include Sky Ride, who won the 2021 Stonerside Stakes in a dead-heat with Hollis before taking the Bucharest Stakes on closing night of the season. His turf star Singapore Flash has won 8 of his 31 starts with two stakes victories.
Caldwell currently resides in Valley View, Texas. He has 56 horses currently stabled at Sam Houston Race Park and is second to Steve Asmussen in the trainer standings. Caldwell will head to Lone Star Park when the Sam Houston meet wraps on April 7.
Jockey Pompell Notches3,000th Career Win at Delta Downs
According to statistics provided by Equibase Company, jockey Thomas L. Pompell won his 3,000th race Jan. 13 when Perfect Edge won the first race at Delta Downs.
The 4-year-old Competitive Edge colt led from gate to wire in the five-furlong maiden special weight dirt test against four others. Owned and bred by Marablue Farm and trained by Brett Brinkman, Perfect Edge broke his maiden in his second start after hitting the board on debut in November of 2023. Pompell rode in eight races Saturday getting another win in the sixth race aboard Serape in a starter optional claiming for trainer Brinkman.
Pompell is a multiple stakes-winning jockey who has ridden 23,595 starts with a record of 3,001-3,039-2,978 and $43,510,355 in earnings since 1996, and he had his best year in 2021 with earnings of $2,837,011.
At Oaklawn, Jockey Quinonez Lands 4,000th Career Win
According to statistics provided by Equibase Company, jockey Luis S. Quinonez won his 4,000th race Dec. 29, 2023, when Izeonpoint raced to victory in the fifth race at Oaklawn Park.
After starting a step slow, Izeonpoint and Quinonez rallied from 11th early to post a clear victory in the six-furlong claiming race. Izeonpoint is trained by Renay Borel and owned by Martin Guzman.
Quinonez, who turns 57 Jan. 6, reached the milestone on his 27,632nd mount, according to Equibase, which bases the jockey's totals on mounts in the United States and Canada. He was Oaklawn's leading rider in 2007.
"People asked me: 'When are you going to win, blah, blah, blah?' Quinonez said Dec. 30, shortly after working Stuck N Snow for trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel, a longtime client. "I just tried to stay cool, be myself and just tried to let it happen. I'm very happy that it happened."
Quinonez has guided winners of 15 graded stakes during his career, including 2022 Whitemore Stakes (G3) winner Bob's Edge at Oaklawn. Since his North American debut in 1989 he has compiled a 4,000-3,793-3,625 record from 27,632 starts. His mounts have earned more than $81.27 million in purses.
A native of Mexico, Quinonez recorded his first career North American victory May 10, 1989, at Canterbury in Minnesota. In addition to Oaklawn, Quinonez owns riding titles at Canterbury and Remington Park in Oklahoma City.
Quinonez became an American citizen approximately 20 years ago and now resides in Jones, an Oklahoma City suburb.
Asked about retirement, Quinonez said: "Not yet."
"My daughter said, "Well, dad, you can't retire until you win 4,000,' " Quinonez said. "So, I got there. I'm going to ride another year or two. I don't think I'll ride a lot, but I still feel good. As long as I feel good and make the weight, I'll keep going. Feel good about it and make the people, the trainers and the owners happy. That's all I can do."
Jockey Graham Secures Win 3,000
Jockey James Graham reached the 3,000 career-win milestone Dec. 3, piloting Big Chief Racing and Rocker O Ranch's Vortexto victory for trainer Keith Desormeaux in the second race at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
"It's quite emotional actually," Graham said. "I came here in 2002 and all I ever wanted was a shot. I wish my mom was still alive to see this. Thank you to everybody who has ever put me on a winner throughout my whole career. This is all because of you guys. Thank you to my wife. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be where I am. Fair Grounds has been good to me over the years. I've made a lot of friends and lost a lot of friends. Racing is a life and we are all a big family. Thank you to everybody."
Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Graham attended jockeyschool and worked for four years as an apprentice, recording one win in his native Ireland before launching his career in the U.S. His first victory came atRiver Downs July 1, 2003, aboard B.J. Star for trainer Allan Shapoff in just his 12th mount. Later that year his first Fair Grounds victory came aboardHigh Octavefor trainer Ronny Werner. Graham has gone on to win 1,340 races at Fair Grounds and stands tall as the third winningest rider at Fair Grounds since 1986, behind Ronald Ardoin and Robby Albarado.
"This is special for me doing it (at Fair Grounds)," Graham said. "My career took off here. When I first got here in 2003 and started riding, this is the meet that got the ball rolling for me. Look at the guys I started riding with here. Gerard (Melancon), Robby (Albarado), Shane Sellers, E.J. Perrodin—I got educated here. I've got a couple more goals at this track that I want to accomplish, so I'm banging on the door and I'm young, fit and healthy."
Franco Gets 1,000th Winner Via Disqualification
Jockey Geovanni Franco notched his 1,000th North American win Dec. 2 when the horse he was riding in the second race at Del Mar, Miss Commander, was moved up via a disqualification of the horse who finished first Unkept Secret. The stewards ruled that Unkept Secret came over on Franco and Miss Commander during a stretch-long duel. Unkept Secret won by a head, and the stewards felt the bumping cost Miss Commander a placing.
For Franco, getting his 1,000th victory on a DQ didn't tarnish the achievement.
"It doesn't," he said with a smile. "I've won plenty of races by DQ and I'll take a winner any way they come."
Franco has been riding at Del Mar since 2017, with a year off in 2022 when he moved his tack back to the Midwest and Kentucky. He returned to Del Mar this summer and rang up 12 wins. This fall, he has five.
"It's truly humbling to have this 1,000th win at Del Mar," Franco says. "To have been riding here the last five years makes it even better. I'll be happy to get many more."
Franco rode his first winner at Mexico City's Hipodromo de las Americas in 2009. He went to Canada later that year and rode at Hastings Park in Vancouver, British Columbia. In March of 2010, he came to Santa Anita and rode the rest of the winter meet before heading up to Golden Gate. He rode in Northern California through much of 2011 before finishing the year at Turf Paradise, where he was the leading rider in 2012 and 2013.
He began branching out to other tracks in 2014, riding at Sunland Park, Santa Anita again, even Finger Lakes in New York and Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pennsylvania. He settled in the Midwest in 2015, riding at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, Remington Park in Oklahoma and Canterbury Park in Minnesota.
The highlights of Franco's career include a runner-up finish to Golden Pal onboard Lieutenant Dan in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar. His first grade 1 victory came with Fault in the Santa Margarita Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita in 2018 and in 2019 he got another top-level winwith Secret Spice in the Beholder Mile (G1).
In all, Franco has won 20 graded stakes races, the latest coming this past summer at Del Mar with Senor Buscador in the San Diego Handicap (G2) and on Motorious in the Green Flash Stakes (G3T).
"I'm proud of myself," Franco says, "and thankful to God."
Pennington Rides 3,000th Winner
Frankie Pennington won the 3,000th race of his riding career in piloting Mii Amo to victory in the first race at Parx Racing Oct. 31.
The John Servis-trained 2-year-old daughter of Social Inclusion scored a hard-fought victory by a head under Pennington in a 5 1/2-furlong race for maiden claimers. The filly's victory was her first in six starts for owners Corey Lonbeger, Richard Nicolai, and Robert and Matthew Hand.
After growing up in Texas, Pennington moved first to Ohio and then Pennsylvania, where he is a multiple-riding title winner at Parx. He captured his first graded stakes victory in the 2015 Parx Dash (G3T) aboard Tightend Touchdown and has added seven more graded stakes victories since.
Mii Amo was his 15,984th Thoroughbred mount. His horses have earned more than $88.5 million.
Jockey Allen Notches 4,000th Thoroughbred Victory
Veteran jockey Ronald AllenJr. won his 4,000th Thoroughbred race Oct. 24when Empty My Pouch raced to victory in the second race at Presque Isle Downs. He added his 4,001st victory later on the card on Genevieve's Z Va.
According to Equibase records, he also has one winning ride on Quarter Horse. Through Oct. 24, his 30,347 Thoroughbred mounts had earned over $51.6 million.
In addition to riding at Presque Isle Downs, the 59-year-old jockey is a regular at Tampa Bay Downs from late fall through spring during that track's meet. He is a four-time riding champion there, most recently during the2010-11 season.He is one of five jockeys to win the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) in the same year, accomplishing the feat in 1993 with Marco Bay - though neither stakes was graded then.
He returned from injury in April 2022 after breaking five ribs, suffering a collapsed lung, dislocating his clavicle joint and tearing ligaments in his left shoulder in a post-race spill at Presque Isle that took place when a mount fell unexpectedly while galloping out in the fall of 2021.
"This is home," Allen said of Tampa Bay Downs in speaking with track publicity there in 2022."I started my career at Detroit (in 1983), but my dad (retired trainer Ronnie Allen, Sr.) and I came here every winter. I was leading bugboy (apprentice jockey) here and just kept on coming back," he said.
He worked hard toreturn to riding in 2022.
"It's in my blood. What happened is just life in this business, and I have to deal with it," Allen told Tampa Bay Downs publicity.
Northern California Jockey Alvarado Reaches 4,000 Wins
Veteran jockey Frank Alvarado, a mainstay in Northern California throughout the 21st century, picked up his 4,000th career victory in Race 2 Oct. 22 at Golden Gate Fields aboard 5-year-old mare Shout It Out. Shout It Out, who sat off a fast pace before nailing early leader Jay's Angel in the shadow of the wire, paid $29.40 to win for the Kelly Bainum barn.
54-year-old Alvarado had to wait out a photo finish before giving an exuberant fist pump when the order of finish was posted. He was greeted in the winner's circle post-race by family, friends, racing officials, and fellow members of the Golden Gate riding colony. Alvarado's mounts have accrued $87.8 million throughout a long and successful career that began in his native Panama in 1984. Alvarado's first career win came at Panama's Hipodromo Presidente Ramon Racecourse April 2, 1984.
Some of Alvarado's top mounts include graded stakes winners Bonfante, Devious Course, Hudson Landing, Lottsa Talc, McCann's Mojave, More to Tell, and Now Victory. Grade 1-placed Antares World and five-time stakes winner Lady Railrider are two additional notables whom Alvarado regularly rode. Among Alvarado's top mounts currently in training are multiple stakes-winning Cal-bred sprinterTop Harbor and juvenile Grand Slam Smile, a recent stakes winner at Del Mar.
Lanerie Joins Select 5,000 Win Club
Veteran jockey Corey Lanerie joined an elite club of reinsman Oct. 18 when he notched career win 5,000 with I Feel the Need in Race 3 at Keeneland.
According to Equibase statistics, Lanerie is the 38th North American jockey known to have won 5,000 races. Among active riders, Lanerie is 12th behind leaders Perry Ouzts (7,418 wins as of Oct. 17) and Hall of Famer John Velazquez (6,543). The overall leader is Russell Baze (12,842), followed by Laffit Pincay Jr. (9,530), Bill Shoemaker (8,833), Pat Day (8,803) and Ouzts.
"It's beautiful," said Lanerie, a 48-year-old native of Cankton, La., near Lafayette. "I have been waiting a long time and it seems like I got right on it and I could never get over the hump, but today we got over the hump and hopefully we keep rolling.
"Everyone kept asking 'Is this the one? Is this the one?' and I kept saying 'I hope so.' It puts a little pressure on, but we live through pressure."
I Feel the Need, a 4-year-old daughter of Keen Ice trained by Chris Hartman, was the 2-1 betting favorite.
"I looked at replays and she seemed like she came out of the gate slow in her previous starts, so I let her find her stride," Lanerie said. "I positioned myself behind (Steel Racer ) and figured I would find a seam. In the middle of the (final) turn, she came off the rail a little bit and my horse was brave enough to shoot on through."
Like scores of great Cajun riders before him, Lanerie started out as a kid riding at the storied "bush" tracks of southwest Louisiana. A third-generation horseman, his grandfather was a trainer and his father, Gerald, was a jockey and trainer. In 1991, he won his first sanctioned race at Evangeline Downs in Carencro, La., just north of Lafayette.
Lanerie has been the leading rider at Churchill Downs 19 times, second only to the legendary Pat Day, and also boasts titles at Ellis Park, Lone Star Park, Sam Houston Race Park, and Retama Park. In 2014, he won the prestigious George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, elected by his peers, honoring "riders whose careers and personal character earn esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing."
His best-known mounts over the years include Posse, Molly Morgan, Bradester, Star Guitar, Brody's Cause, Majestic Harbor, Weep No More, Hog Creek Hustle, and his most recent grade 1 winner, Bell's the One.
Lanerie credited trainers Steve Asmussen and Michael Stidham for helping him to break through with stakes-caliber horses in the early 2000s when Lanerie rode first-call for both trainers as they, too, were starting to compete regularly at the highest levels.
Lanerie lives in Louisville, Ky., with his daughter, Brittlyn, whom he had with his late wife, Shantel, who died of breast cancer in 2018.
"The first thing that crosses your mind is everybody in the past who helped you get there from when I started--the people who taught me how to ride--and all my family and friends that supported me the whole time, all the owners and trainers that stood by me, the horses that ran for me," Lanerie said. "I was just so blessed to have a career like this. People, including myself, just dream of a career like this, and I was able to fulfill it and do what I've had so much passion about since I was 3 years old. All I wanted to be was a jockey."
1,000 Winners for Maryland-Based Trainer Magee
All things considered; Kieron Magee has done remarkably well at a job he never really wanted.
Nearly two decades ago, working as a salaried exercise rider for trainer Dale Capuano after having freelanced on the Maryland circuit for years since coming to the U.S. from Ireland, Magee knew a career change was coming.
Training horses? It wasn't at the top of his list. In fact, it wasn't even on his list.
"I galloped horses since I was a kid but my heart was running out. I broke my back twice and I was scared. I was 43 or 44, somewhere around there, and my heart was coming to an end quickly," Magee, 62, said. "One of my owners, a guy called Bo Williams, said to me, 'Kieron, it's time you started training horses.' I said, 'Nah, I'm not going to do that.' He asked me what I was going to do and I said, 'I don't know, but it ain't training horses.'"
Williams and Magee's wife, Kelly, thought differently and their persistence in changing his mind paid off. What has followed is a career that includes multiple meet titles at historic Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, being Maryland's overall leading trainer three times, more than $20 million in purse earnings and, most recently, reaching the 1,000 victory mark.
Magee's latest milestone came Aug. 27 during the Maryland State Fair meet in Timonium when Moshe Mark's Viking Queen, ridden by Carol Cedeno, got up in the final strides as the 1-5 favorite. It was the sixth career win for the 4-year-old filly, who Magee claimed for $5,000 two starts earlier.
"It felt like it took forever, but I'm glad to put it behind me as they say," Magee said. "It's more than I ever dreamed would happen, believe me. I didn't want to do this when it was presented to me. I'd watched so many people struggle doing this and I was like, 'I don't want to do this.' So, to hit the thousand mark is huge. Huge."
Magee saw his starters, wins and purse earnings steadily climb, topping $1 million for the first time in a season in 2014. He averaged 117 wins over the next three years capped by a high of 127 in 2017 to go along with more than $2.5 million in purses earned, also a career best.
From 2014-16 no trainer won more races in Maryland than Magee. He owns or shares 10 meet titles-four at Pimlico, which he has called home since the early 1980s, and six at Laurel including its spring stand that ended May 7.
Though his success has primarily come with claiming horses, Magee has trained several stakes winners and multiple six-figure earners. His best was Artful Splatter, a mare he claimed for $16,000 in 2019 at Laurel who would go on to win Laurel's Geisha Stakes and Delaware Park's George Rosenberger Memorial Stakes in 2020.
-Edited Press Release from Maryland Jockey Club
Trainer Biehler Wins 1,000th Race
Trainer Michael Biehler was 25 years old when he won the first race of his career in 1989 and now at 59 years old, he won for the 1,000th time in his career when Medalla Match won the eighth race Aug. 25 at Remington Park.
Biehler's first trip to a winner's circle was July 1, 1989, at Canterbury Park in Minnesota with Raise a Wolf in a maiden claiming $5,000 race. His first win at Remington Park was on April 9, 1994, with Gato Macho and jockey Luis Quinonez in the saddle.
Friday night's milestone victory was in allowance company for fillies and mares at about 7 1/2 furlongs on turf.
"This is really exciting for me," Biehler said of his 1,000th win. "I never had a number like this in mind when I first started. I've had some big wins at Remington Park. This was great and I'll never forget this but it's hard to top winning the Oklahoma Derby with Wally's Choice in 2004. He was the longest shot on the board (33-1 odds) and I really didn't think he had a chance that day. He came from dead last with Quinonez up. That was my only graded stakes win. I'll never forget that one or this one."
Biehler watched from his fifth-wheel travel trailer on the lake in Minnesota with coverage from the RTN network. He didn't have much choice with runners at Canterbury Park Aug. 26. The celebration Friday night was put offas well.
"Yeah, I have to get up at 4 a.m.," Biehler said with a laugh. He currently makes his home in Jones, Okla.
Jockey Stewart Elliott was aboard for Biehler's 1,000th win and it was his sixth trip to the winner's circle in the past two nights.
-edited press release from Remington Park
Trainer Koriner Wins 1,000th Thoroughbred Race
Brian Koriner won the 1,000th Thoroughbred race of his training career Aug. 24 when Diamond Bar Gal raced to victory in the second race at Del Mar.
The 3-year-old daughter of Vronsky owned by The Ellwood Johnston Trust, Integrity Thoroughbred Racing, Rod Faurot, Bruce Halpern, and Marilyn Halpern, scored by 1 3/4 lengths under Juan Hernandez, racing five furlongs on turf in :57.55.
"It's nice to get it out of the way," Koriner said, "because people make a big deal out of it. I think it was only four starts after 999, so at least it didn't linger on for a long time. Only five days."
Koriner, 57, was introduced to racing by his father,Ed, while growing up in Southern California. He initially trained mostly Quarter Horses at Los Alamitos in Southern California for about 10 years before turning to race more Thoroughbreds in 1997. He also has 284 Quarter Horse victories and 14 wins in mixed-breed races.
Koriner spent the early part of his Thoroughbred training career in Northern California before moving his stable to Southern California.
He has 1,000 victories from 5,804 Thoroughbred starts with these horses earning more than $29.7 million.
Graded-winning Thoroughbreds for the trainer include California Flag, Spiced Perfection, Black Seventeen, Sweet August Moon, Hoovergetthekeys, Northern Soldier and Mr Vargas.
Ask Koriner his favorite win of the 1,000 and he doesn't hesitate with his answer.
"The (2009) Breeders' Cup (Turf Sprint) with California Flag," Koriner said. "I won the Vosburgh (G1) with Black Seventeen. That was pretty exciting. He was midstream in his career and loved an 'off' racetrack and ran his eyeballs out that day."
The trainer, who currently has 28 horses at Del Mar,has posted annual earnings from his horses of over $1 million 13 times.
"I've had good people behind me," Koriner noted. "A lot of it was in Northern California. The last few years here have been slow. I don't know how many wins I have in a year. I think it's 50 and above so that's what got me there.
"That and playing hardball claiming horses," he continued. "I don't claim anymore, so it's slowed down. Most of our horses are straight maidens and we just run them through their conditions. When they run out of conditions it gets tough. You can drop them in and unload them but if you're not playing the claiming game it's hard to win a lot of races, I think."
John Servis Takes 2,000th Win of Training Career
Trainer John C. Servis, who won the 2004 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) with Smarty Jones, added another milestone to his résumé when he won his 2,000th race Aug. 21 with debut winner Dewey Doit in the first race at Parx Racing.
Since saddling his first starter as a trainer in 1984, Servis has guided the careers of 11,343 runners. He has maintained career rates of 18% winners and 47% in-the-money finishes. He has won $69,649,461 in purses.
Dewey Doit is a Pennsylvania-bred daughter of freshman sire Coal Front who is campaigned by Tilted Shamrock Racing Stables. The filly won by 2 1/4 lengths as the 4-1 second choice in a 5 1/2-furling maiden special weight.
Orseno Secures 2,000th Win of Training Career
Classic-winning trainer Joseph F. Orseno won his 2,000th race Sunday, Aug. 13, when Lord Eddard Stark raced to victory in the ninth race at Gulfstream Park.
Orseno may be best known for sending out Red Bullet to win the 2000 Preakness Stakes (G1). Orseno also boasts a pair of Breeders' Cup victories, with Macho Uno in the 2000 Juvenile (G1) and Perfect Sting in the 2000 Filly & Mare Turf (G1T).
Cone Claims Career Win 1,000
Trainer Rodney J. Cone won his 1,000th race yesterday, Sunday, Aug. 13, when Smilin Evie raced to victory in the seventh race at Century Mile.
Trainer Berndt Joins 1,000-Win Club
Thoroughbred trainer Joel Berndt won his 1,000th career race Aug. 3 when Modern Science won the sixth race at Canterbury Park. Berndt has won two training titles and is currently the leading trainer at the Shakopee, Minn. racetrack. Modern Science was ridden by Lindey Wade and is owned by Bob Lothenbach.
Berndt, 55, won his first recognized race at Fonner Park in Grand Island, Neb. on March 24, 1991, with a horse named Sweet Cap. He had started horses at smaller, unrecognized tracks on the fair circuit in his native South Dakota beginning in 1988. He has won 342 races at Canterbury.
"Where'd the time go?" Berndt said. "It seems like I was just in Nebraska with five horses and doing all the work myself and here we are with a leading owner and a nice set of horses and a thousand wins. Time goes fast."
Berndt has trained 6,100 starters, earning $17,709,396 in purses. Illinois-bred Silver Bid was his top earner, winning multiple stakes and earning $743,039. Berndt's lone graded stakes win was achieved in 2016 with Hay Dakota in the Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs.
Trainer Ness Notches 4,000th Win at Laurel Park
Trainer Jamie Ness collected his 4,000th career victory July 16at Laurel Park when Sing Scat led from start to finish, pulling away late to score her second straight win for Ness, co-owner with Morris Kernan, Yo Berbs Racing, and Jagger in the first race over 1 1/6-mile on the turf course.
The 3-year-old Maryland-bred Irish War Cry filly posted a 2 1/2 length victory over eight rivals in the claiming test, winning in 1:44.86 and adding $18,630 to her bankroll.
Ness earned his 2,000th win with Caylee's Song on Thanksgiving Day in 2013 at Laurel as well.
"Luckily, we weren't (waiting)for very long. It came pretty fast," Ness said. "It's kind of a longevity milestone, I guess you'd call it. We've been doing this a long time. It means you've been doing it a while. I remember being right here for 2,000. Seems like it was yesterday."
Ness is the 16th trainer to reach 4,000 wins in North America and ranks 13th among active trainers behind Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen's record of 10,199and counting.
A graduate from South Dakota State University, the Heron S.D. native took a job in media relations with Canterbury Park in Minnesota, where he won his first race with his 33rd starter, Blue Rocket Aug. 21, 1999. Ness began training full time in 2004 and over the years expanded his operation to nearly 200 horses.
"I'm good at horse training, but I'm terrible with all the bookwork and that kind of stuff," Ness said. "There's a lot more than just showing up in the winner's circle. There's a lot behind the scenes. They say it takes a village. It takes a community when you run a big stable like I've got."
Walder has distinguished himself as an astute claiming trainer, who has achieved considerable success in improving the performances of horses acquired via the claiming route. Perhaps more impressive than his career win total is the 22-percent winning percentage he has compiled from his 4468 starters.
As of July 16 Ness has saddled 16,133 horses to 4,000 wins, 2,897 seconds, and 2,406 thirds and has earned $79,648,489. He has conditioned grade 3 winners Ghost Hunter (Arlington Handicap), Magic Michael (Greenwood Cup Stakes), Repo Rocks (Westchester Stakes).
Jockey Hernandez wins 3,000th Race
Jockey Rafael Hernandez recorded the 3,000th victory of his riding career July 14 when he guidedSean and Dorothy Fitzhenry's homebred Bill Needle to capture the fourth race at Woodbine for trainer Catherine Day Phillips. He won three races on the card friday.
A regular at Woodbine from thespring through fall, Hernandez has also ridden all across the United States, from Illinois to Kentucky to Florida.
He added three more victoriesJuly 15 at Woodbine, where he is again among the leaders in the standings.
Jockey Cindy Murphy Captures First Graded Stakes With 2,000th Win Milestone
Jockey Cindy Murphy had a memorable night July 8 at Prairie Meadows when the rider tallied her first career graded stakes win and 2,000th win milestone in the $225,000 Iowa Oaks with Crypto Night. The 3-year-old daughter of Mohaymen is trained by Murphy's husband, Travis Murphy.
Murphy, a regular rider at Prairie Meadows track in Iowa, has compiled earnings of $24,216,415 in her 30-year-plus riding career. The 60-year-old won her first race Dec. 8, 1987 at Tampa Bay Downs.
Trainer Blaine D. Wright Wins 1,000th Race at Emerald Downs
Trainer Blaine D. Wright won his 1,000th race on July 7 when Munnings Tale raced to victory in the sixth race at Emerald Downs.
Blaine is now 1,000-852-784 from 5,051 career starts with total career earnings now up to $19,586,275.
Jockey Oliveros Earns 1,000th Win at Mountaineer
Jockey Charle Oliveros earned the 1,000th North American victory of his career July 5 at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort in New Cumberland, W.Va., when Wild Win took home the milestone win by a length.
A rider since 2011, Oliveros has career earnings of $11,858,359. Oliveros is now 1,000-1,027-1,065 from 7,005 career rides, though racing on Wednesday.
Oliveros has been one of the top 100 riders in the United States by wins each year since 2017.
Trainer Peter Walder Notches 1,000th Win at Gulfstream
Trainer Peter Walder collected his 1000th career victory Friday at Gulfstream Park when Big Daddy Dave captured the Race 7 feature, a mile optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and up on the main track.
Walder, watching from New York, hardly had to sweat out No. 1000, as Big Daddy Dave romped to an 11 ½-length victory under Miguel Vasquez as the 1-2 favorite.
"It feels awesome. We were 0-for-6 weeks when we were stuck on 997. Everyone knows I'm as streaky as all heck. We went 0-for-6 weeks and then we win three in a row," Walder said. "I didn't think it was a big deal, then as it got closer, I started getting nervous. Like [Gulfstream announcer] Pete Aiello said, it's hard to win one let alone 1000. Now we'll have to work on 2000."
Walder, a Montreal native, attended Niagara University on a baseball scholarship but went on to work as a groom for Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield at Woodbine upon sustaining an injury that derailed his pitching career. After obtaining his training license, Walder notched his first victory with his fifth starter, Irish Gal, at Woodbine on Nov. 30, 1994.
The 54-year-old trainer, who has campaigned in the Mid-Atlantic and South Florida for many years, is currently splitting his time between South Florida, New York and the Mid-Atlantic.
"It was really nice to do it at Gulfstream. Gulfstream's my home track. It's forever in my heart," Walder said. "I've supported that place as long as I've been training. I'm glad I got it there. It means a lot to me."
Walder has distinguished himself as an astute claiming trainer, who has achieved considerable success in improving the performances of horses acquired via the claiming route. Perhaps more impressive than his career win total is the 22-percent winning percentage he has compiled from his 4468 starters.
Vazquez Notches 2,000th North American Win
Puerto Rican jockey Ramon Vazquez earned his 2,000th North American win when Bella Baby won a maiden optional claiming race at Santa Anita Park June 16.In nine seasons in Puerto Rico, he won more than 1,500 races. Vazquez moved to the U.S. in 2011 and started riding at Delaware Park.
For 2023, he has a record of 49-45-32 from 320 starts and earnings of $3,734,130.
Rodriguez Records Win No. 2,000
Two-time defending Delaware Park leading rider Jaime Rodriguez notched his 2,000th North American winner at Delaware Park June 15. The milestone win came in the fourth race when Morris Kernan Jr., Yo Berbs and Jagger’s Strugar posted 1 1/2-length triumph in a $22,000 starter allowance. The 7-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Hard Spun was trained by Jamie Ness.
Rodriguez, a32-year-old native of Puerto Rico, notched his 1,000th winner at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Racecourse on Feb. 21, 2018.
He won three races on Thursday's card at Delaware Park.
Jockey Valdivia Wins 2,000 Race
Veteran jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. notched his 2,000th North American victory June 3 when he guided Echo Valley Horse Farm's Mitico to a 2 1/4-length win in the sixth race at Santa Anita Park.
The Paula Capestro trainee stalked the pace in third before taking command and pulling away to complete six furlongs in 1:11.49 in a race for $20,000 claiming runners. Thevictory ended a month-long slump for Valdivia, who had recorded win No. 1,999 when Anybody's Choice won a maiden optional claimer at Santa Anita April 28.
"Oh it's nice, kind of like a weight off my back," Valdivia told FanDuel TV. "Everybody's been telling me--even my kids are like, 'Are you serious? When are you going to get this done?' But extra special being here, that is at Santa Anita. There is just no other place like it. I think this is where I've always considered home."
The Peruvian-born jockey, who moved to the United States in 1989, began riding as an apprentice in New York before later relocating to other states, often ranking among the leading riders.
Winner of the 2001 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) on Val Royal and the 2011 Belmont Stakes on Ruler On Ice, Valdivia has ridden in over 16,000 races, with his mounts earning more than $81.7 million.
Tony Dutrow Notches 2,000th Win as Trainer
Trainer Anthony Dutrow earned the 2,000th victory of his career when Predicted scored a 6 3/4-length victory in the third race at Belmont Park May 5, a 6 1/2-furlong maiden claimer for 3-year-olds and up.
Ridden to victory from post 4 by Paco Lopez, Predicted stalked the early pace set by West Star and was confidently handled by Lopez into the turn before taking a clear lead at the top of the lane and winning geared down in a final time of 1:19.24. He returned $3.30 for a $2 win ticket as the post-time 3-5 favorite.
"I got to 1,900 wins no problem, but the last hundred has taken forever," said Dutrow, with a laugh. "I'm so appreciative of the respect NYRA gave me just now and it's been a lot of fun. It was an easy win for Predicted today and maybe he said, 'OK, I can do this' and maybe he'll get a little better."
Dutrow, 65, was born in Hagerstown, Md.,and has earned several grade 1 victories, including the Futurity (Burning Roma, 2000), the Prioress (Cat Moves, 2009), the Ogden Phipps (Seattle Smooth, 2009), the Ballerina (Rightly So, 2010), the Spinaway (Grace Hall, 2011; So Many Ways, 2012), the King's Bishop (The Big Beast, 2014), the Alabama (Embellish the Lace, 2015), and the Hollywood Derby (Mo Town, 2017).
The son of multiple graded stakes-winning trainer Richard DutrowSr. has also won over 190 additional graded and listed stakes, earning in excess of $75 million in total purses according to statistics provided by Equibase.
"Looking back, there's been so many nice wins and big efforts from these horses," said Dutrow. "Oh my goodness, I don't even want to think because I could reflect on so many of them, even the claiming horses."
Several of Dutrow's trainees have gone on to productive breeding careers, including dual-surface graded stakes-winner Mo Town, who took up stud duties at Ashford Stud, and the multiple graded stakes-winner Burning Roma, who sired three-time grade 1 winner Sheer Drama.
"There have been so many great horses through the years and so much of it is personal because so many of them were bought and raised by my family," said Dutrow. "To accomplish any of it with the people you're working with, that's as gratifying as the 2,000 wins itself."
Breen Notches 1,000th Win as Trainer
Edge Racing's Gentleman Gerry, a 3-year-old son of 2017 Florida Derby (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Always Dreaming, edged past pacesetting Rio Moon approaching the wire to give trainer Kelly Breen his 1,000th career victory April 6 at Gulfstream Park on opening day of the Royal Palm Meet.
Ridden by Paco Lopez, who has teamed with Breen for much success over the years, Gentleman Gerry ($6.20) covered one mile over a firm turf course in 1:36.45 to win the maiden claiming event for 3-year-olds in his fifth career start.
Breaking from Post 4, Lopez settled Gentlemen Gerry in mid-pack as Rio Moon took the nine-horse field through a quarter-mile in 23.46 seconds and a half in 47.84. Lopez moved up to third on the far turn and remained on the rail before tipping out two wide in the stretch to run down the leader.
Gentleman Gerry, sent off as the 2-1 betting favorite, was Breen's lone starter on Thursday's eight-race program.
"It's a little bit of a monkey off my back because it's been over three weeks in between wins and a lot of seconds," Breen said. "I have to (give credit)to my whole crew. I have a crew in New York and I have a crew down here. We all work hard. It's not just me, it's a team. It's awesome."
Breen, 53, grew up in Old Bridge, N.J. as the youngest of four children and was introduced to racing at the age of 12 when his father would take him to nearby Monmouth Park. A standout schoolboy wrestler and soccer player, he initially wanted to become a jockey, working as an exercise rider for leading trainer Walter Reese.
A growth spurt curtailed his dream of becoming a jockey, but by the time he was 18 Breen was working as an assistant to trainer Scooter Dickey. Soon he was exercising horses as an assistant to trainer Jon Forbes, while splitting time between the racetrack and his family's steamfitting business.
Breen operated a small stable from 1992 to 1994, winning his first race with Contarito Oct. 24, 1992 at The Meadowlands. After working as an assistant to trainer Ben Perkins Jr. from 1994 until Perkins' retirement in 2000, Breen went out on his own again and became a private trainer for George and Lori Hall and the end of 2006.
Based at Monmouth Park, where he was leading trainer in 2005, 2006 and 2020, he achieved national recognition when the Halls' Ruler On Ice pulled off a 24-1 upset of the 2011 Belmont Stakes (G1)--his first career stakes win after a third in the Sunland Derby (G3) and a second in the Federico Tesio.
Ruler On Ice would go on to run second in the Pennsylvania Derby (G2), third in the Haskell (G1) and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and fourth in the Travers (G1). That same year, also for the Halls, Breen won the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Pegasus (G3) and ran ninth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) with Pants On Fire.
Now operating a public stable, Breen has won more than two dozen graded stakes with horses such as Bern Identity, Stonetastic, Miss Sky Warrior, Valedictorian and Firenze Fire.
"I think it means more because I knew my time would have been limited if I ever even was to ride or race or anything like that. I wouldn't have been around for a career," Breen said. "My heart is in horse racing. I'm here to stay."
Larrosa Rides 1,000th winner
Jockey Gustavo Larrosascored his 1,000th Thoroughbred victory in North America March 25 when Master This raced to victory in the fifth race at the Charles Town Racetrack.The Dominus gelding trained by Mike Butts drew off the rail after the final turn to reach the wire, winning by two lengths Saturday.
A rider in Americasince 2003, Larrosa logged a career recordyear in 2008 after bankrolling $1,971,393 in 999 starts. This year he has collected $270,380 in earnings in 69 starts, with 10 wins, 7 seconds, and 11thirds. He sits on a 14% win percentage for 2023.
Through racing on Sunday, he had ridden 11,584 Thoroughbreds, who collectively made more than $19.3 million in earnings.
Asmussen First North American Trainer With 10,000 Wins
Steve Asmussen became the first trainer to win 10,000 Thoroughbred races in North America when Bet He's Ready won the fifth race at Oaklawn Park Feb. 20.
Asmussen also has two additional wins overseas, including Curlin's victory in the 2008 Dubai World Cup (G1).
A Hall of Famer, Asmussen became the winningest trainer in North American history on Aug. 7, 2021, when Stellar Tap won a maiden race at Saratoga Race Course, giving him his 9,446th win and pushing the late Dale Baird into second. Since then, Asmussen has continued to win races at a high rate, drawing ever closer to the latest milestone.
A 57-year-old resident of Arlington, Texas, Asmussen recorded his first victory in 1986 at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico with Victory's Halo. That was the trainer's only victory in 1986 from 15 starts, and his horses' earnings on the year totaled a mere $2,324.
But those numbers would rise, and 10 years later, he scored his initial graded stakes victory when Valid Expectations won the Derby Trial Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. He now has 305 graded stakes wins through racing Feb. 20.
The trainer has twice won Eclipse Awards as outstanding trainer, doing so in 2008-09, when his stable won more than 600 races each year.
Asmussen has long credited his staff--among them longtime assistants Darren Fleming and Scott Blasi--for contributing to his success, as well the support of his family. He learned about the racing business from his parents, Keith and Marilyn, who breed, own, train, and still operate Asmussen Horse Center and El Primero Training Center in Laredo, Texas. Under the tutelage of Keith, a former jockey, and Marilyn, he and his older brother Cash became horsemen at a young age.
His wife, Julie, and sons, Keith, Darren, and Erik, have also consistently supported him through his many days away from home while he attended to his many divisions of horses across the country. His wife and boys were in attendance when Asmussen passed Baird in the record books with on Aug. 7, 2021. Keith, his eldest son, is currently a jockey.
Asmussen's horses have made in excess of $405 million in North America, trailing only eight-time Eclipse Award winner and Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher with $452 million.
He holds multiple training titles at Ellis Park, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Keeneland, Lone Star Park, Monmouth Park, Oaklawn Park, Remington Park, Retama Park, Sunland Park, and Churchill Downs, where he is the track's all-time winningest trainer.
In honor of Asmussen's achievement, Oaklawn said it would donate $10,000 to charity in his name, with $5,000 going to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund and $5,000 to the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement and Rehabilitation Fund.
In addition to his personal accomplishments, other career highlights for Asmussen include winning the 2007 and 2009 Preakness Stakes (G1) with Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, respectively, and the 2016 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) with Creator. Asmussen has won eight Breeders' Cup races, including the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) in 2007 with Curlin and again in 2017 with Gun Runner.
The Kentucky Derby is one of the few races that has eluded him. He came close to winning the Run for the Roses in 2022 when Epicenter led until being caught in the closing strides by late-running longshot Rich Strike .
Cox wins 2,000th
Trainer Brad Cox picked up his 2,000th win Feb. 18 when Bishops Bay crossed the wire firstin the fifth race at Fair Grounds,breaking his maiden in a $70,000 maiden special weight. The colt by Uncle Mo is owned by Spendthrift Farm, Steve Landers Racing, Martin Schwartz, Michael Dubb, Ten Strike Racing, Jim Bakke, Titletown Racing, Kueber Racing, Big Easy Racing, Winners Win, Michael Caruso, and WinStar Farm. Bred by WinStar Farm, the colt was purchased during the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $450,000 by the BSW/Crow Colts Group. The 3-year-old, making his first appearance on the track, finished the six-furlong dirt test in 1:10.07 with a 3/4 length margin against 9 other rivals.
Cox's best year was 2021, when he won 269 races, earning $31,715,312 and recording 59% winners per start. His top horse Knicks Go, an earner of over $8.5 million, won the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) as a juvenile, the 2020 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3), Whitney Stakes (G1), Lukas Classic Stakes (G3), and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) all in 2021, subsequently being named US Horse of the Year.
Pino wins 2,000th
Trainer Michael V. Pinopicked up his 2,000th win Jan. 7 when Holdtheflightcrossed the wire firstin the sixth race at ParxRacing,an allowance optional claiming race. The Hold Me Back gelding is owned by Bing Cherry Racing and finished an impressive 9 1/2 lengths ahead of the crowd in the one-mile and seventy-yard test on the dirt. He stopped the clock in 1:45.12.
His best year was 2005 when he won 114 races, earning $2,394,037 and recorded 58% winners per start. His top horse Ten Keys an earner of over $1.2 million, won the 1989 Cliff Hanger Handicap (G3T), Laurel Turf Cup Handicap (G3T), Bay Meadows Handicap (G2T), the 1990 Elkhorn Stakes (G2T), Early Times Turf Classic Stakes (G3T), and New Hampshire Sweepstakes Handicap (G3T).
Geroux Rides 2,000th North American winner
Jockey Florent Geroux rode his 2,000th career North American winner Jan. 26 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, piloting Twin Creeks Racing Stables' Warrant (1-5 favorite) to the victory in the fifth race.
The 36-year-old native of Argentan, France, had closed to within one victory of the milestone in the first race Jan. 21 aboard New Destiny before reaching the mark aboard the Brad Cox trainee on Thursday. Geroux has been the first call for Cox barn on many of their top horses recently, including Mandaloun and Monomoy Girl. Geroux will pilot Cyberknife for that stable in the Jan. 28 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
"It feels great," Geroux said. "It's a big reliefto be honest. Especially before this weekend with a big day like the Pegasus and being on the favorite, Cyberknife. I can go there and enjoy every moment."
Geroux's first win came in 2004 at Longchamp on Chopyluz. A graduate of the French riding Academy, Afasec, in 2007, Geroux had a false start in the United States after falling and suffering a broken wrist and two broken vertebrae on opening day at Keeneland. He returned to the U.S. in 2008, making Chicago his home base.
"I would like to thank my family and close friends for their support," Geroux said. "It is important to have people behind you, especially with all the ups and downs in this business, and they have always been cheering for me. Also, all the trainers and owners who gave me the opportunity to reach this number. Brad (trainer Brad Cox) definitely helped. He has been my go-to guy the past few years. Thanks to my agent John Panagot right now, and of course (former agent) Doug Bredar, who put me on almost all of those winners. Thanks to them. I love you guys."
Having joined the local colony in 2013, 540 of his 2,000 wins have come at Fair Grounds, where he holds two riding titles (2015-2016 & 2016-2017). His first crown was earned in 2011 at Hawthorne.
Geroux's father, Dominique Geroux, was a jockey and later a trainer in France.
Having won many of the sport's top races, Geroux scored his first Breeders' Cup victory in the 2014 Breeders' Cup Sprint aboard Work All Week and has gone on to win six more, including two runnings of the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1)astride Monomoy Girl and the 2017 Breeders' Cup Classic with Gun Runner. In 2021 he rode Mandaloun across the line second in the Kentucky Derby, but he was later named the adjudicated winner following the disqualification of Medina Spirit.
Alvarado Notches North American Win Number 2,000
Jockey Junior Alvarado rode Broadway Force ($7.80) to victory in Saturday's Race 5 at Gulfstream Park to reach the 2,000th-win career milestone in North America.
"It hasn't come easy for me-I've had a lot of injuries-but that's what makes every win worth it," Alvarado said following a winner's circle celebration for his career riding feat. "A grade 1 or a claiming race, I'm grateful for each win. I don't take anything for granted."
Alvarado's achievement followed Tyler Gaffalione's 2,000th career victory Jan. 20 at Gulfstream.
"It seems like a whole year since winning a race. I wanted it so bad. It seems like I was riding against 10 horses for each horse I was riding," said Alvarado, who had gone winless in his 10 starts since winning his 1,999th race Jan. 18. "Maybe I was over-trying. Today, I had a mindset to take it race by race, take it easy and not overdo anything."
The 36-year-old journeyman is scheduled to ride Art Collector in next Saturday's $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1)at Gulfstream for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who has been one of his most loyal supporters for many years.
Alvarado won his 2,001 race for Mott in Saturday's Race 9 aboard Candy Man Rocket ($4.80), who was coming off an 11-month layoff since winning a Feb. 22 optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream.
Alvarado is coming off a memorable and successful 2022 racing season, during which he rode Mott-trained Olympiad to four graded-stakes victories, including a win in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1). He finished second on Olympiad in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) behind Flightline but found the Keeneland winner's circle aboard Mott-trained Cody's Wish, who scored a feel-good triumph in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
Alvarado, who rode his first career winner at La Rinconada in 2005, and his first U.S. winner (Rodolfo Garcia-trained Satira)at Gulfstream Feb. 17, 2007, 15 days after making his U.S. debut at the Hallandale Beach track.
Alvarado has notched 17 grade 1 victories while riding the winners of nearly $119 million in purses.
Alvarado moved on to the Chicago circuit in 2008 and steadily established himself as a force at both Arlington Park and Hawthorne. He began riding at Aqueduct during the winter months in 2012 and moved to ride full-time on the New York circuit in 2012. For the past several winters, Alvarado has been riding at Gulfstream during the Championship Meet.
Gaffalione Rides 2,000th Winner
Jockey Tyler Gaffalione rode his 2,000th winner Friday at Gulfstream Park, where his burgeoning riding career began back in 2014.
The 28-year-old Davie, FL native had closed to within one victory of 2000 wins in Friday's Race 3 aboard pick-up mount Temerity ($8) before reaching the milestone aboard Megacity ($10) in Race 6.
"I feel so blessed. I just want to thank the people who have gotten me to this point, all the people who put in numerous hours in the mornings to make my job easier," Gaffalione said. "I love what I do. I love being here. It couldn't have happened at a better place, my home track."
Gaffalione, who won his first race on only his third mount, Holdin' Bullets Sept. 5, 2014, at Gulfstream, enjoyed considerable success right from the start, being honored with an Eclipse Award for the outstanding apprentice jockey in 2015.
"I was a little worried we weren't going to get it done today and then we're going out of town tomorrow," said Gaffalione, who is scheduled to ride at Fair Grounds Saturday. "But it all worked out."
Gaffalione notched Win No. 2001 aboard Concrete Glory ($5.20) in Race 9.
Gaffalione, whose father and grandfather were jockeys, is coming off a career-best 2022 season, during which he won seven Grade 1 races, including the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) aboard White Abarrio, whom he is scheduled to ride in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) presented by Baccarat. He also won his first two Breeders' Cup races with Wonder Wheel in the Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Caravel in the Turf Sprint (G1).
Wonder Wheel's Hall of Fame trainer Mark Case provided Gaffalione with his first success in a Triple Crown race. 2019 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner War of Will.
Gaffalione has established himself as Kentucky's most dominant jockey for the past several years while annually ranking among the top jocks during Gulfstream's Championship Meet.
Diodoro wins 3,0000th
Trainer Robertino Diodoro picked up his 3,000th win Jan. 7 when Arthurian raced to victory in the second race at Oaklawn Park, a claiming race. Diodoro also won the Pippin Stakes on that day's card with Lovely Ride.
His best year was 2021when he won 223 races, earning $7,496,024and recorded 56% winners per start.
In the milestone-achieving race, Arthurian, by Oxbow commanded the race early, putting pressure on eight others while setting the pace through the turn. In the run-up he turned back Grapnel to win by two lengths in the six-furlong test.
Radosevich wins 3,0000th
Trainer Jeffrey Radosevich picked up his 3,000th win Dec. 19 when Stay Thirsty Amigo won the third race at Mahoning Valley, a claiming race. Radosevich also won another race on that day's card with Glimmerglass.
His best year was 2019 when he won 184 races, earning $3,629,772, and recorded 59% winners per start.
In the milestone-achieving race, Stay Thirsty Amigo rallied from the back of the field after settling in along the rail. Moving up to third entering the stretch, Stay Thirsty Amigoedged out Master, who nearly led from start to finish, by two lengths.
Hernandez Rides 1,000th winner
Jockey Julio Hernandez scored his 1,000th Thoroughbred victory in North America Dec. 13 when Pictor raced to victory in the secondrace at the Penn National Race Course.The Munnings gelding trained by Timothy Kreiser led from start to finish, winning by three lengths Tuesday.
A rider in Americasince 2011, Hernandez logged a career recordyear in 2018 after bankrolling $3,411,960 in 931 starts. This year he has collected $2,992,424 in earnings in 729 starts, with 160 wins, 134 seconds, and 112 thirds. He sits on a 22% win percentage for 2022.
Through racing on Tuesday, he had ridden 7,732 Thoroughbreds, who collectively made more than $21.3million in earnings.
Silvera Rides 1,000th winner
Jockey Ruben Silvera scored his 1,000th Thoroughbred victory in North America Dec. 13 in piloting Angelus Warrior to victory in the sixth race at the Bensalem, Pa., track. Angelus Warrior came for trainer Jamie Ness, who provided Silvera with three mounts on the Tuesday card.
A rider since 2011,Silvera has enjoyed the two best years of his career in 2021-22. Last year, he won a career-high 225 races, and this year is tops for the rider in money won, with his mounts closing in on $6 million in earnings. He has a career 15% win mark and currently leads the Parx Racing standings.
Through racing on Tuesday, he had ridden 6,711 Thoroughbreds, who collectively made more than $30.4 million in earnings.
Gonzalez Notches 1,000 Victories
According to statistics provided by Equibase, jockey Ricky Gonzalez won his 1,000th Thoroughbred race Nov. 24 when Spiritist raced to victory in the third race at Del Mar. Gonzalez has ridden since 2013, with his mounts earning in excess of $2 million annually on seven occasions, including this year. Entering Nov. 25, he was 42-for-327 with purse earnings of more than $2.7 million.
Esquivel Reaches 1,000 Wins
Emmanuel Esquivel reached 1,000 career wins Nov. 6 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Esquivel scored a win aboard Colonel Aby B in the $23,000 turf event, the day's fifth race.
Esquivel began in contention for the top spots early on in the one-mile turf race but stayed in mid-pack along the inside through most of the mile. Coming into the stretch, he was in the middle of the track behind horses and identified a path along the inside rail. Colonel Aby B shot down to the inside and began to advance, timing the move just right for the win by a head over Decree of Love and Fernando De La Cruz. Investment Income and Santo Sanjur finished third.
"I want to thank Brian (Williamson) for giving me this opportunity to ride this mare," said Esquivel. "This milestone came up pretty quick. I won two races at Hawthorne Sunday and was hoping to get a third but I'm glad to get it here (at Horseshoe Indianapolis). I have done well here, and I love it here."
One aspect of getting the milestone for Esquivel was to have his family around for the win. The family man was joined by his wife, Karla, and three kids, Ali, Evie, and Noah for the presentation by Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing.
"I want to thank my parents," said Esquivel. "They always encouraged me to do what I liked, and I wouldn't be here without that support. I also want to thank my uncle Cipriano Contreras. He's the one that got me started here in Indiana, and I appreciate that greatly. It was also important to me to have my wife and kids here for the win. I wanted to make sure they could take the picture with me."
Esquivel, a native of Mexico, began coming to Indiana about five years ago. He decided to move his tack to Indiana from PARX full-time in 2020 and has been among the track's top 10 jockeys for the past three years
Overall, Esquivel has earned in excess of $29 million in purse earnings. His riding career began in 2013 where he grew up at Hawthorne, winning his first race in his fifth start aboard Everybody Lies.
Zayas Joins 2,000 Win Club
Jockey Edgard Zayas celebrated his 2,000th career victory in style Nov. 4 at Gulfstream Park, rallying Wonder Stables, Madaket Stables, and Golconda Stable's 3-year-old filly Miss You Ella to a popular triumph in the $70,000 Cellars Shiraz Stakes.
Trained by Sunshine Meet leading trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., Miss You Ella ($6.60) completed one mile and 70 yards in 1:43.81 over the all-weather Tapeta course to become a stakes winner for the first time after placing twice previously, including the Sweetest Chant Stakes(G3) Feb. 5.
Zayas reached the milestone four months after returning from surgery on his left shoulder that ended his 2021 season last December, the subsequent recovery and rehabilitation keeping him out of action until June 24.
Miss You Ella was the fifth of six mounts on the day for Zayas, 29, who had run second five times after getting No. 1,999 on Oct. 29, including twice Friday. It was Zayas' seventh stakes win since coming back, following Lynx in the Florida Sire Stakes Desert Vixen and Susan's Girl, Turbo in the Juvenile Sprint, Chasing Artie in the Bobby Umphrey Sprint, Blind Spot in the Our Dear Peggy and Clapton in the Gil Campbell Memorial.
"It feels amazing," Zayas said. "It was a little harder than I thought to get the last one, but we were close a few times and hopefully there's more to come."
Zayas notched a second straight win Friday aboard Bass Stables' Avow ($3.60), the 4-5 favorite trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, in race 9.
A native of Puerto Rico where he attended jockey school, Zayas ventured directly to South Florida to launch his professional career, making his debut Oct. 28, 2012 and winning his first race Nov. 17, 2012 aboard Five Afternoons, both at Calder Race Course, later Gulfstream Park West.
Among the top horses Zayas has ridden are $5.5 million earner Gunnevera and fellow graded-stakes winners Sharp Azteca, Consumer Credit, C. Zee, Favorite Tale, Isabella Sings, Dearest, Shakhimat, Drain the Clock and Wholebodemeister.
During his recovery and rehabilitation, Zayas was able to spend some quality family time with his wife, Ashley, and daughters, Lillian (5) and Lilah (21 months), who celebrated in the winner's circle after the race.
"For them to be here is very special," Zayas said. "Their support means everything."
Sanchez Wins 1,000th Race
Jockey Mychel Sanchez notched his 1,000th career victory aboard Z W P Stable and Non Stop Stable's Malibu Beauty in the $100,000 George Rosenberger Memorial at Delaware Park Oct. 2.
The 4-year-old daughter of Buffum won by eight lengths. The Maryland-bred trained by Gary Capuano returned $3.80 as the favorite in the field of five.
Thisnameisokay, with Jhonatan Mendoza, finished second 10 lengths in front of B B's Busted, with Daniel Centeno, in third. Malibu Beauty cut early fractions of :48.83 for the half-mile and 1:13.40 for the three-quarter miles before completing the mile and a sixteenth in 1:44.99 over a muddy main track.
The Rosenberger Memorial was originally scheduled to be run on the grass but was transferred to the main track due to the overnight rain in the region from the remnants of Hurricane Ian.
Malibu Beauty raised her record to seven wins from 22 starts. She earned $82,500 for her victory in the Rosenberger Memorial, which includes a special $22,500 Delaware Certified bonus, to bring her career earnings to $399,584.
"This milestone win could not have come at a better time in a stakes race on Owners Day at Delaware Park," said winning rider Mychel Sanchez. "In the race, she really did it all. We went to the lead and took control. After that it was on cruise control."
Sanchez has two career graded stake victories. In 2021, he rode Hopeful Treasure to victory in the Fall Highweight Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack, and in 2018 he rode Dixie Serenade to victory in the Victory Ride Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park. He recorded his first career victory in North America aboard Party Girl Appeal at Parx Racing on July 16, 2013.
Trainer Baird Trains 1,000th Winner
Trainer J. Michael Baird won his 1,000th race Sept.20, when Kingston Time won the third race at Mountaineer Park. The Mountaineer-based Baird has5,600 starts from his runners, through Tuesday. His horses also have 842 runner-up finishes, 721 shows, and earnings of$12,731,156.
Trainer AmossSaddles 4,000th Winner
Trainer Tom Amoss saddled his 4,000th winner Aug. 10 when Isolateled gate to wire inthe $135,000 Tale of the Cat Stakes, a seven-furlong sprint for older horses atSaratoga Race Course.
Amoss has been a trainer since 1987 and headed into Wednesday's card witha record of 3,999winners from 16,027 starters. Through Aug. 9, his runners hadearned $115,652,533. A multiple graded stakes-winning trainer, he saddled Serengeti Empress to win the 2019 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Trainer Maker Saddles3,000th Winner
Trainer Michael J. Maker saddled his 3,000th winner Aug. 5whenPalatial Times raced to victory in the fifth race at Ellis Park.
Maker has been a trainer since 1993and has a record of 3,000 winners from 15,105 starters. Through Aug. 5, his runners have earned$137,992,273. A multiple graded stakes-winning trainer, he saddled Zulu Alpha to win the 2020 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1T).
Jockey Ramos Wins 1,000th Thoroughbred Race
Jockey Adrian B. Ramos won his 1,000th race Aug. 1 when Win for Fun raced to victory in the eighth race at Arapahoe Park. Ramons also has numerous wins with other breeds.
Ramos has 66 Thoroughbred victories this year through Monday after winning an annual-best 84 Thoroughbred races in 2021.
Entering racing Aug. 2, Ramos was third in the Arapahoe standings behind Travis Wales and Hugo Herrera.
Lucarelli Saddles 2,000th Winner
Trainer Frank Lucarelli saddled his 2,000th career winner when River Kat won the fourth race at Lone Star Park inGrand Prairie, Tx.
Lucarelli has been a trainer since 1979 and as of July 14, 2022 has a record of 2,002 winners from 13,811 starters. His runners have earned$26,016,114. A multiple graded stakes winning trainer, he saddled Stormy Lucy to win the 2014 Santa Ana Stakes (G2T) and Gallant Son in the 2010 Inglewood Handicap (G3T).
Jockey Tyler Conner Wins 1,000th Race
Jockey Tyler Conner recorded his 1,000th career victory when My Dixie Lass won the ninth race July 9 at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa.
A jockeysince 2014, Conner, as of racing July14,has a record 1,003wins, 987seconds, and 956thirds in 6,290 starts in Thoroughbred races. His horses have earned over $21.2million and recorded earnings of $2.02 million in 2022.
Jockey Quinonez Wins 1,000th Race
Jockey Alonso Quinonez recorded his 1,000th career victory when Magic Castle won the seventh race June 25 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn.
Quinonez began his racing career at Louisiana Downs in 2006 and won his first race at Churchill Downs in November of that year. "When I won my first race I remember it like it was yesterday. I was so green. I didn't know what I was doing," Quinonez said.
The 39-year-old jockey is an 11-time graded stakes winner including the Humana Distaff (G1) in 2008 at Churchill. Quinonez now primarily rides at Canterbury Park and Tampa Bay Downs.
"I love it here," Quinonez said of Canterbury Park. "I'm really, really glad I won my one-thousandth race here."The milestone win came in Quinonez's 9,378th start. His mounts have earned more than $32.8 million in purses.
Jockey Parker Wins 6,000th Race
Jockey Deshawn Parker earned his 6,000th career victory June 21 aboard Bosharon Stable's For Mama, a Jeff Greenhill-trained colt by Can the Man who won a six-furlong maiden special weight for registered Indiana-breds, 3-year-olds and up at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
An Ohio native, 51-year-old Parker is one of only 21 riders to reach the milestone. He launched his career in 1988 at Thistledown and found success at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort, where he became the track'sall-time leading rider. He is the 2021 George Woolf Memorial Award winnerand the winningest African American jockey in history.
Parker is the son of the late Daryl Parker, who worked as a steward and clerk of the scales and also did stints as an exercise rider and jockey's agent.
Trainer Wong Wins 1,000th Race
Trainer Jonathan Wong earned his 1,000thThoroughbred race winJune 11when Opening Buzzraced to victory in the thirdrace at Golden Gate Fields.Wong a multiple graded stakes-winning trainer, picked up his first grade 1 success when Keeper Ofthe Stars took the 2020 Gamely Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park.
A trainer since 2015, Wong, as of racing June 11,has a record 1,000 wins, 776 seconds, and 619 thirds in 4,125 starts in Thoroughbred races. His horses have made $17.9million. Racing principally on the West Coast, his horses have won over $2.5 million this year.
Jockey Saez Wins 3,000th Race
Jockey Luis Saez earned his 3,000th career victory when Rudy Rodriguez trainee Funny Joke remained undefeated with a neck victory in Race 6 on June 5 at Belmont Park.
"I enjoy every horse I ride. That's my happiness and my joy. I'm blessed to be here," Saez said. "To get 3,000 winners is a lot for me. I never imagined I would be here, but we're here and we just enjoy the moment. I'm blessed it happened at Belmont, a place I always dreamed of. This is the biggest deal for me."
Funny Joke, who broke his maiden in March at Aqueduct, raced in last-of-5 and was patiently handled by Saez throughout the 6 1/2-furlong starter allowance. Saez asked the 3-year-old Practical Joke colt for more at the top of the stretch and Funny Joke answered, running determinedly to secure the narrow victory over Baltasar.
Saez, a 30-year-old native of Panama City, Panama, is a graduate of the Laffit Pincay, Jr. Jockey Training Academy in Panama and began his American riding career at Calder Race Course in August 2009. He piloted his first winner on August 20 that year at the Miami Gardens oval, skimming the rail aboard Fearless Honor and earning a 3 1/2-length victory.
Saez's first graded win came in the 2010 Grade 3 Tropical Turf Handicap aboard Twilight Meteor for trainer Martin Wolfson.Since then, Saez has earned over 150 other graded victories, including more than two dozen Grade 1s.
Gorham Records 2,000th Training Victory
Trainer Robert Gorham won his 2,000th Thoroughbred race June 1 when All Star Justice raced to victory in the second race at Thistledown. Goham also has three Quarter Horse victories, according to Equibase statistics.
A trainer since 1994, Gorham entered racing on June 3 with a 2,000-for-11,961 record in Thoroughbred races. His horses have made nearly $36.8 million. Racing principally in Indiana and Ohio this year, he is 34-for-217.
Peltroche Notches 1,000th Thoroughbred Victory
Jockey Fredy Peltroche won his 1,000th Thoroughbred race May 26 when Doesn't Make Cents raced to victory in the eighth race at Charles Town. He also has six other victories in races for other breeds, according to Equibase statistics.
Peltroche, a jockey since 2003, is among the regular riders at Charles Town in West Virginia. Through Thursday, his career Thoroughbred record stands at 1,000-for-9,218 with earnings of $17.4 million.
He comes off a career-best year in 2021 when he wonwith 104 of 656 mounts, who collectively earned more than $2.2 million.
Canchari Wins 1,000th Race
Jockey Alex L. Canchari won his 1,000th race May 25 in guiding Xtreme Racing Stables' Tonka Warrior to victory in the ninth race at Canterbury Park. The rider went 2-for-2 on the card, also guiding Novogratz Racing Stables' Phone Talk to victory in the Honor the Hero Stakes earlier on the card. Both wins came for trainerMcLean Robertson.
A jockey since 2011, Canchari has 7,250 mounts over his career and his rides have earned over $27.2 million in purses.
He rode this winter at Oaklawn Park and is currently based at Prairie Meadows, though opportunity brought him to Canterbury Wednesday.
"I grew up here. I got my first job here in the concession stand when I was a kid," Canchari said of Canterbury. "I just love it here. I love all the fans and all the people because without them I'd be nothing."
Tohill 79th Jockey to Reach 4,000 Victories
Jockey Ken Tohill won his 4,000th race Sunday, May 15, when he guided Rainbow Surebet to a front-running victory in the fourth race at Prairie Meadows, a 5 ½-furlong maiden special weight.
Since 2004, Tohill regularly appears among the top 100 riders in both seasonal wins and seasonal earnings. He is the 79th North American-based rider to reach 4,000 wins.
Jockey Dylan Davis Notches 1,000th Career Victory With Late Rally
Dylan Davis reached 1,000 career victories with a stylish late-rallying finish aboard Heels Together in Race 5 May 13 at Belmont Park. Davis guided the Christophe Clement-trained filly from off the pace to break her maiden by two lengths over the main track.
"It feels great. Obviously, I couldn't have done this without the horses, my agent Mike Migliore and my supporters—countless trainers and owners to get me here," Davis said. "It feels really special. I love doing this and I love the game.
"I wasn't really keeping track of the number I was at," Davis added, with a laugh. "Mike kept telling me I was getting closer and closer and I just keep doing what I'm doing."
Davis executed a patient ride aboard Heels Together in the $40,000 maiden claimer, settling in fifth-of-eight down the backstretch before swinging her five-wide in the turn and giving a strong ride down the stretch to pick off rivals and complete the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:20.50 over the fast main track. Heels Together, a 4-year-old Hard Spun bay owned by Hoolie Racing Stable, paid $8.90 for a $2 win ticket.
Davis, a 27-year-old native of Manhasset, N.Y., teamed up with Clement to earn another milestone when guiding Mutamakina to victory in the 2021 E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1) at Woodbine to secure the first grade 1 win of his career.
"Christophe is a trainer that really pushed me along through the tougher circuit here," Davis said. "He gave me a lot of opportunities. What I needed is someone with the support like him to help get the job done."
The son of accomplished jockey and current NYRA circuit trainer Robbie Davis, Dylan Davis began his riding career in 2012 at Saratoga Race Course and guided his first winner, Soldier Sam, to victory in a claiming race in September of that year at Suffolk Downs. His first stakes win came aboard Henny Jenney in the Inaugural on May 11, 2014 at Presque Isle Downs just two weeks before piloting Tell All You Know to a stakes coup in the Honor the Hero at Canterbury Park.
Davis celebrated a breakout year in 2018, earning a trio of grade 3 victories in the Soaring Softly Stakes aboard Nootka Sound for his first career graded win, the Toboggan Stakes aboard Great Stuff and the Westchester Stakes on Tale of Silence. He earned nine other stakes victories that year, all of them at NYRA tracks.
He recorded a record year in 2021 for earnings ($9,493,444)when he visited the winner's circle 130 times from 927 starts. Davis' grade 1 triumph aboard Mutamakina in the E.P. Taylor came that October with a stalking trip and a well-timed ride to take the lead and hold off the late-charging La Dragontea by a neck for Clement. Davis also earned two other graded wins aboard Mutamakina in 2021, taking theDance Smartly Stakes (G2) at Woodbine and a repeat win in theLong Island Stakes (G3) at Belmont.
This year, Davis earned his first riding title when he posted 63 wins at the 2021-22 Aqueduct winter meet, finishing nine wins the better of Trevor McCarthy. The meet included three four-win days for Davis and victories in six stakes races for total purse earnings of $3,411,574.
Lezcano Secures 3,000th Victory in Taking Flat Out
Jockey Jose Lezcano secured his 3,000th career win in style, piloting the Todd Pletcher-trained First Constitution gate-to-wire in the $100,000 Flat Out Stakes, a 1 3/8-mile main track test for older horses, May 6 at Belmont Park.
Lezcano was all smiles in the winner's circle as he expressed his appreciation at reaching the milestone.
"I'm very thankful for the trainers and owners who give me the chance to ride these nice horses and win all these races," Lezcano said. "It's very special to win it with Todd and for him to give me a nice horse like that. To win my 3,000th race in a race like this is nice."
Owned by Don Alberto Stable, WinStar Farm, and Twin Creeks Racing Stables, First Constitution was a group 1-winner in his native Chile before joining the Pletcher stable last year. The 5-year-old Constitution chestnut captured the Jazil, with Lezcano up, in January at Aqueduct Racetrack to notch his first North American win. He entered the Flat Out from a third-place finish in the Excelsior Stakes in April at Aqueduct.
Jockey Vasquez Records Milestone 1,000th Winner in U.S.
Jockey Miguel Vasquez notched his 1000th victory in the United States May 5 at Gulfstream Park, rallying late aboard The Blue Dragon in Race 4 to reach the career milestone.
"I'm very happy. Thank you to the trainers. Thank you to the owners," Vasquez said. "I thank them for helping me."
Vasquez, who attended the Laffit Pincay Jr. Technical Jockey Training Academy and rode about 350 winners in Panama, notched his first victory in the U.S. at Gulfstream Park West aboard Antonio Sano-trained KB Biorhythms Nov. 15, 2014.
The 27-year-old Chorrera, Panama native has won more than 120 races in each of the past five years, including a career-high 195 in 2020 and 177 in 2021. He rode six winners at Gulfstream on Aug. 15, 2020, one shy of the record for most wins in a day.
The unassuming Vasquez ranked seventh with 45 wins during the recently concluded 2021-2022 Championship Meet.
Vasquez's No. 1000 did not come easy. After setting an uncontested pace into the stretch, The Blue Dragon ($5.20) received an outside challenge Momza, the even-money favorite who edged past him in mid-stretch. The Blue Dragon responded to Vasquez's urging and fought back to prevail by a neck. The winner also had to fight off an objection and a brief stewards' inquiry for a slight brushing incident turning into the stretch.
Jockey Wolfsont Wins 1,000th Race
According to statistics provided by Equibase, jockey Andrew Wolfsont won his 1,000 race April 20 when Terry's Charm raced to victory in the 11th race at Parx Racing.
The victory was one of two from three mounts on the afternoonforWolfsont, who recorded his 999th victory in piloting Dubrovsky to victory in the second race at Parx.
Wolfsont rides in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
Jockey Murrill Reaches 1,000 Wins
Just a little more than eight years into a career that began at Delta Downs on Halloween in 2013, jockey Mitchell Murrill won his 1,000th career race Feb. 6at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, guiding Selective's Yin Yangto victory for trainer Brad Cox in the day's sixth race, an "off the turf" optional claiming/first-level allowance sprint for 3-year-old fillies.
"I've got to thank Brad," Murrill said. "This is the first horse I've ridden for him in my career, so it's kind of nice to get into the winner's circle for him. He told me before the race that the horse was going to be keen and to try to get her to relax and keep her running forward. She did it today."
Earlier on the card Murrill won the fourth race on Cypriano for trainer Chris Hartman, who just two days earlier reached a milestone of his own at Fair Grounds, winning his 1,500th career race. The duo has contributed greatly to each other's success, teaming up for 82 wins since first joining forces four years ago. Following a 5-for-10streak, Murrill had been in an 0-for-23 slump prior to his fourth race score.
"It's pretty awesome," Murrill said of reaching the milestone. "All week it's been pretty tough to get into the winner's circle, but we got it done and I can't be more grateful for everyone who has contributed."
The 27-year-old native of Mobile, Ala., scored his first career win aboard Golden Barbara on May 28, 2014. Perennially in the top five in the jockey standings at both Fair Grounds and Arlington International Racecourse, he had a breakthrough meet in November at Churchill Downs, finishing fifth with 15 wins. He earned a career-best $5,619,207 in purses in 2021 and counts the 2018 Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) aboard Chocolate Martini as his biggest win to date.
"Gerard Melancon helped me out from the very beginning when I started riding at Evangeline," Murrill said. "It's hard grinding, working. My agent Tim (Hanisch) is out here every day working hard, trying to make connections with everybody, and trying to keep everybody happy. We are just trying to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward."
Murrill's parents and girlfriend had been in attendance earlier in the week, awaiting the milestone win that didn't come until Sunday.
"I told them if I didn't win, they had to go home," Murrill joked. "I wish they could have been here to share this with me."
Bennett Wins 4,000th race
Trainer Gerald Bennett became just the 14th North American trainer to win 4,000 races when D'craziness won the ninth race under Antonio Gallardo at Tampa Bay Downs Dec. 8.
"That is a lot of races, and a lot of dedication that went into it," said Gallardo, who rode the 6-5 favorite to a two-length victory on the turf for Bennett and owner Averill Racing.
"He deserves it so much. You see him working hard all the time, trailering the horses - he goes everywhere, and he's here every day. I'm just really excited to win No. 4,000 for him," the jockey added.
Bennett notched career victory No. 3,999 in today's second race with Little Miss Sassy, a 2-year-old Florida-bred filly owned by his Winning Stables outfit in partnership with Majestic Racing Stable. Jockey Roberto AlvaradoJr.was up
Besides being No. 14 on the all-time training list, Bennett is 11th among active trainers.
"When you really stop and think about it for a minute, it's a big accomplishment," Bennett said. "It's something most people haven't done. It's just hard work, keep getting up. ... now, try for (5,000)," he said with an impish grin.
Bennett stressed the importance of detail and teamwork in getting to 4,000.
"You never know when the next one is going to come, and you have to work hard and see how all the horses are doing every morning. There is always something going on with one horse here or there, and if you miss it, you can lessen a horse's career," he said.
"I just appreciate all the people who work for us, 'Carlos' (assistant trainer Juan Cacho Castro), and all of the barn help. They are all part of the team that got us here, and it's a great job by everybody getting up early and keeping their noses to the grindstone."
Frey Earns 1,000th Win in the Saddle
Jockey Kyle Frey collected his 1,000th career win Nov. 19 when he guided Lori Gallegos' California homebred Tizlightning to a head victory at Del Mar. The 2-year-old Stanford gelding led throughout in the third race, a six-furlong starter optional claimer, and held on to win by a head. The final time was 1:11.40 on the fast track.
Tizlightning, trained by Steven Miyadi, is now 2-for-2 after he won on debut Sept. 25 in a maiden claimer at Los Alamitos Race Course. Frey was also aboard for that effort.
Since 2010, Frey has ridden in 5,916 races through Friday and his mounts have collectively earned $21,664,326. He has won the 2018 Peter Pan Stakes (G3) on Blended Citizen, the 2017 El Camino Real Derby (G3) on Zakaroff, and the 2017 Iowa Oaks (G3) on Shane's Girlfriend. In July of 2021 at Del Mar, Frey won the Fleet Treat Stakes aboard I'm So Anna.
The 29-year-old Frey, a Northern California native who has ridden at tracks from coast to coast, appears to have found a riding home in Southern California this past year and his recent marriage and the birth of his daughter have given him even more reason to stay in one spot.
Frey was the Eclipse Award winner as the nation's top apprentice in 2011. He has followed in the footsteps of his late grandfather, Paul Frey, who rode in both California and Washington State.
"I feel great joy in this win," Frey said after his 1,000th win. "I was asked about the fuss of the pressure of reaching a milestone, but I really didn't feel that. I'm just real happy I got it done."
Trombetta Wins 1,000th Race
Trainer Gary Sciacca earned his 1,000th career victory when Caumsett wired the first race on opening day of the fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack.
"I'm just real happy to get it done," Sciacca said. "I would have loved to have got it done at Belmont, but I got my start here at Aqueduct so this is great."
Sciacca, a 61-year-old native of Brooklyn, N.Y., captured his first career victory with Proud Northern in October 1981 at Aqueduct. Through four decades of conditioning thoroughbreds, Sciacca has won two training titles at Belmont Park, leading the way at the 1993 spring meet and 1997 fall meet.
Caumsett, with Hall of Famer Javier Castellano in the irons, led throughout in the mile maiden contest andcoasted home a 1 3/4-length winner in a final time of 1:36.55 over the firm going.
The Hall of Fame rider tipped his cap to the veteran conditioner for his milestone achievement.
"I'm very happy for him. It's a great achievement to win 1,000 races," Castellano said. "I've known Gary for a long time and he's a dedicated horseman and been in the game a long time. I'm lucky and blessed to be a part of his success."
Bred in the Empire State by Milfer Farm, Caumsett was sent to post at odds of 9-2, and returned $11.60 for a $2 win bet.
"It feels great. We needed to get it done and get it over with," Sciacca said of the milestone. "I thought she was going to win last time [September 19], but she got nailed right at the wire. Bobby, my son is here, so that's great."
Sciacca has trained such top horses as Saratoga Dew, Subordination, Dr. Kiernan, Debonair Dan, Dominant Prospect, Inside the Beltway, Gold Princess, and Dawn of the Condor.
"The grade 1 wins with Saratoga Dew and Subordination were huge," Sciacca said. "The business has been so great to me and all the hard work is paying off. It's taken me all over and has been really good."
Trombetta Wins 2,000th Race
R. Larry Johnson's homebred 2-year-old colt Mr Jefferson slipped through an opening along the rail in mid-stretch and outran stablemate Bold Leader to give trainer Mike Trombetta his 2,000th career victory in eighth race Nov. 4 at Laurel Park.
Ridden by Mychel Sanchez, Mr Jefferson ($14.20) completed about 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.43 over a fast main track to win the optional claiming allowance for juveniles by 1 1/2 lengths. Street Hustle was third with pacesetting 3-5 favorite Mr. Mox fourth.
"It's really, really cool," Trombetta said. "I didn't expect to be one-two in the race, by any means. I was hoping just to hit the board, honestly, but it was nice to get this kind of result."
Trombetta, who turned 55 last week, is the second Maryland-based trainer to reach a career milestone at Laurel this fall. Claudio Gonzalez, the state's annual leading trainer since 2017, earned his 1,000th win with He's a Shooter Oct. 14.
Perennially one of the top trainers in Maryland who is also a player on the national stage, Trombetta has topped $1 million in purse earnings every year since 2005 and at least $3 million since 2007, with a career bankroll of more than $68.4 million.
The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association Trainer of the Year in 2005, Trombetta burst on the national scene with Sweetnorthernsaint, an ex-claimer turned Grade 2 winner who went off as the Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite in 2006 and ran second to champion Bernardini in the Preakness Stakes (G1). Other major stakes horses for Trombetta include 2020 Forego Stakes (G1) winner Win Win Win, 2019 Highlander Stakes (G1T) winner Wet Your Whistle, and 2012 Nearctic Stakes (G1T) winner Next Question.
Jockey Prescott Reaches 4,000th Win
Rodney Prescott, 47, Indiana's all-time leading jockey in wins, hit another milestone in his career Nov. 4 when he captured his 4,000th career victory aboard We All See It at Indiana Grand.
Prescott came into the day needing one win to reach this milestone and was scheduled to ride in five of the nine races, but it was a late pick-up that delivered the goods. We All See It is trained by Eddie Kenneally and owned by Rick and Ron Rashinski's Homewrecker Racing and Brad Anderson's Anderson Stables. It was the third career start for the 2-year-old son of Street Sense, who was purchased for $250,000 at the Fasig Tipton Select Yearling Sale last fall.
Prescott is currently among the top 10 riders this season at Indiana Grand. He has won three leading jockey titles at the track (2004, 2005, 2018) and has been among the top 10 in all 19 seasons of racing. A native of Portland, Ind., he began riding in 1994 and has competed in all 27 years of pari-mutuel racing in the state of Indiana. In all, he has won more than 1,150 career races at Indiana Grand and purse earnings in excess of $23.8 million. He also has several leading rider titles to his credit at River Downs and Turfway Park.
"When I started off in 1994, I had no idea how long I would be riding and if you'd told me I'd still be riding 26 years later, I wouldn't have believed it," said Prescott, who recently purchased a farm near Franklin, Ind. "It's a great feeling to have the career I've had. I plan on riding a few more years."
Jockey Pino Collects 7,000th Win
Veteran jockey Mario Pino became only the 10th North American jockey to accomplish 7,000 wins in the saddle, notching the major milestone with two wins at Presque Isle DownsOct. 20.
Pino, 60, enteredWednesday's card with 6,998 victories. He won aboard Gucci Gal in the second race, then secured a second win in the fourth race with Enjoy the Music.
The Delaware native was the regular rider of Hard Spun, who in2007 won theKing's Bishop Stakes (G1)and was second in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) and Breeders' Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) with Pino up.
Since 1977, Pino's mounts have won over $131 million.
Gonzalez Trains 1,000th Winner
On his way to leading all Maryland trainers in wins for a fifth consecutive year, Claudio Gonzalez earned his 1,000th career victory when MCA Racing Stable's He's a Shooter rolled to his third straight triumph in the seventh race Oct. 14 at Laurel Park.
Ridden by Kevin Gomez, He's a Shooter ($5.60) was sent off as the 9-5 favorite in a field of seven. He ran seven furlongs on a fast main track in 1:23.80 to win the entry-level allowance for 3-year-olds and up by 6 ¼ lengths. It was Gonzalez's only starter of the day.
"It's special. It's not easy to win one race, but to win 1,000 races is something special," Gonzalez said by phone from his native Chile, where he watched Thursday's race with his parents. "I came last week to celebrate my mother and father and today is my last day here. I was waiting a week for 1,000 and on my last day, we did it."
Gonzalez, a 44-year-old cancer survivor, has been Maryland's overall leading trainer by wins since he relocated full-time from New Jersey in 2017. He owns or shares 17 training titles between Laurel and Pimlico Race Course, including both full meets in 2021, Laurel's winter stand and the extended Preakness Meet at Pimlico.
"It's not only me. All my team does a really good job," Gonzalez said. "We do the right thing with the horses all the tie and try every day to get better and better. I want to say thank you to everyone. Everyone sees my name there but there's a lot of people behind me."
According to Equibase statistics, Gonzalez's first career win came at Laurel with Quiet Tiara on Nov. 14, 2012. Hehas reached the $1 million mark in season purse earnings every year since 2013 with a high of $5.2 million to go along with 154 wins in 2020. He won a career-best 174 races in 2019.
Ortiz Jr.Rides3,000th Winner
Irad Ortiz, Jr., winner of the last three Eclipse Awards for outstanding jockey, captured his 3,000th career win in the fifth race Oct. 7 aboard Saratoga Kisses at Belmont Park. The tally counts92 wins from the 29-year-old rider's homeland of Puerto Rico, according to Equibase statistics.
Co-owned by trainer Rudy Rodriguez with Parkland Thoroughbreds, Saratoga Kisses was in front at the half-mile call of the six-furlong maiden claiming sprint for New York-bred juvenile fillies and widened her margin impressively en route to an 8 1/4-length score.
"It's very exciting," said Ortiz, who is currently 15th on the all-time earnings list, amassing more than $220 million in purses in a career that started in 2011. "I have to thank all the owners and connections and trainers who have supported me from Day One. Without them, none of this would be possible."
Ortizhas enjoyed tremendous success on the New York Racing Association circuit, winning the year-end title on three occasions (2014, 2015, and 2017).
The veteran rider has flaunted his talent at racetracks across the continent at the highest level posting 203 graded stakes wins, including 60 grade 1s. He boasts 11 Breeders' Cup wins, including a score in the 2019 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic aboard Vino Rosso at Santa Anita Park.
Gomez Rides1,000th Winner
According to statistics provided by Equibase Company, jockey Oscar Gomez won his 1,000 race Sept. 27 in guiding She's Not Bluffing to victory in the first race at Finger Lakes. He added another victory on the card to advance his win total to 1,001.
A jockey since 2000, Gomez rode over 100 winners annually each year from2014-16 and in 2019.
Barbaran Rides1,000th Winner
According to statistics provided by Equibase Company, jockey Erik Barbaran won his 1,000 race Sept. 2 when Altissimo raced to victory in the sixth race at Thistledown.
Barbaran has won races at a 16% rate over his career, which began in 2011 and has produced 6,147 rides, through Sept. 2.
A career-best year for the jockey came in 2019 when he rode 215 winners from 1,201 mounts, who collectively earned more than $2.8 million.
Kreiser Trains 2,000th Winner
According to statistics provided by Equibase Company trainer Timothy Kreiser won his 2,000th race Aug.20when Triple A. Plus raced to victory in the sixth race at Penn National.
Kreiser trains the 4-year-old gelding for owner Joseph Besecker. Jockey Ricardo Chiappe guided Triple A. Plus to a2 3/4-length victory in the six-furlong allowance, which the Pennsylvania-bred completed in 1:10.40.
Since Kreiser beganhis training career in 1993 histrainees have earned over $34 million. He was also the trainer of Power of Snunner, a multiple stakes-winning Pennsylvania-bred mare. In 2019 Kreiser was ranked 20th by wins and in 2020 he was ranked 34th by wins.
Besecker Wins 1,000Race as Individual Owner
With a win by his horse Diva's Finale at Del Mar Aug. 14, owner Joseph E. Besecker joined an elite group of Thoroughbred owners with 1,000 victories. Besecker also has additional victories that have come in partnership with others.
"I want to thank my team, led by my advisors Jeffrey A. MattyJr. and Paul O'Loughlin, as well as our caring trainers and their tireless staff, for their efforts of constant and consistent preparation to make this accomplishment a reality," Besecker said.
In addition to these team members, Besecker also thanked the agents, jockeys, bloodstock partners, veterinarians, and racing officials for their role in his accomplishment, saying he is grateful for all of their hard work.
"Joe's differentiators are his large network of trainers and bloodstock agents across the country and his insistence on close collaboration among them, a rarity in the industry," Matty said.
Brown Trains 2,000th Winner
Digital Software provided trainer Chad Brown with his 2,000th winner as a trainer when he won the 10th race at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 6.
Brown, 42, the Eclipse Award-winning trainer from 2016-19, was born not far from Saratoga inMechanicville, N.Y. He grew up going to Saratoga with his family and became interested in horses and the sport.
Prior to launching his training career in 2007, he worked for Hall of Famers Shug McGaughey and Bobby Frankel. Brown becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2032 after training for 25 years.
Asmussen Secures North American Training Record
Trainer Steve Asmussen now solely sits atop the North American ranks for number of wins.
After tying Dale Baird's 9,445 wins with an Ellis Park winner Aug. 6, the Hall of Famer earned win No. 9,446 with Stellar Tap Aug. 7 at Saratoga Race Course to break that record.
Asmussen, 55, won his first race as a trainer at Ruidoso Downs in 1986, his first year on the job. Since then his trainees have earned over $361 million and he has trained Horses of the Year Curlin, Rachel Alexandra, and Gun Runner. He won the Eclipse Award for outstanding trainer in 2008 and 2009 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. Other career highlights include winning the 2007 and 2009 Preakness Stakes (G1) with Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, respectively, and the 2016 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) with Creator. Asmussen has won seven Breeders' Cup races, including the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2007 with Curlin and again in 2017 with Gun Runner.
Asmussen is also second in the all-time earnings category, trailing only new Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, whose horses have earned over $410 million.
Wales Rides 1,000th Thoroughbred Winner
According to statistics provided by Equibase Company jockey Travis Wales won his 1,000th Thoroughbred race Aug. 3, when Over Ez raced to victory in the ninth race at Arizona Downs.
Wales, who began riding in 1995, also has more than a hundred other victories in races for other breeds or in mixed-breed contests.
In both 2008-09, he rode 81 Thoroughbred winners, his highest yearly totals. Those years were among three in which his Thoroughbred mounts made more than $800,0000. He has a career win mark of 13%.
Kenneally Trains 1,000th Winner
According to statistics provided by Equibase Company, trainer Eddie Kenneally won his 1,000th race July 1 when He's Pretty Lucky took the fifth race at Ellis Park.
A native of Ireland, Kenneally grew up with strong ties to horses and first came to the United States in 1987.His winter baseis South Florida and he races the rest of the year primarily in Kentucky and New York.
Broberg Trains 4,000th Winner
According to statistics provided by Equibase Company, trainer Karl Broberg won his 4,000th race June 11 when Baudette Blizzard raced to victory in the sixth race at Prairie Meadows.
Broberg was the winningest trainer in North America from 2014-19, capturing over 500 races in both 2018 and 2019.
Melancon Hits 5,000
According to statistics provided by Equibase Company, jockeyGerard Melanconwon his 5,000th race June 10 aboard Reposadoin the eighth race at Evangeline Downs.
Melancon, a 54-year-old Louisiana native, took out his license in 1984 and consistently ranks among the top 100 riders in the nation.