During a telephone interview last week, with his 4,000th career victory on the horizon, trainer Gerald Bennett reflected on the personal side of chasing a milestone only 13 other North American conditioners have achieved.
“I was telling them about a lot of my experiences, that I've claimed a lot of horses over the years,” Bennett said in the winner's circle at Tampa Bay Downs late this afternoon, “but over the whole long run, my best claim was Mary.”
For the last 35 years, wife Mary Bennett, also a trainer, has shared the major victories and the disappointments, the unexpected scores and the heartbreaks. The landmark victory by 8-year-old Florida-bred D'craziness in today's ninth race, while notable, seemed to blend into a career that shows no signs of slowing as the 77-year-old Bennett takes aim at a seventh consecutive Oldsmar training crown.
“That is a lot of races, and a lot of dedication that went into it,” said jockey Antonio Gallardo, who rode 6-5 favorite D'craziness to a 2-length victory on the turf from Fly Fly Away 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,” Gallardo said.
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. Roberto Alvarado, Jr., was the jockey. Little Miss Sassy was claimed from the race for $25,000 by trainer Jose H. Delgado for new owner Carole Star Stables.
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.”
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