“We were all on pins and needles and when Phantom Smoke broke out of the gate before the race, it was obviously not the start that we wanted,” Bell said.

Despite the nerve-wracking beginning, the 4-year-old Christophe Clement trainee pulled through to get his third career win and give Bell her first trip to the winner's circle at Saratoga.

“It took me a while to shop shaking even as we were in the winner's circle,” Bell said with a laugh. “I've had horses win when I wasn't here and I've been to the winner's circle at other tracks, but this was my first time winning at Saratoga with my own horse.”

Phantom Smoke's victory also gave West Point Thoroughbreds its 1,000 win in 5,687 starts. Founded by Terry and Debbie Finley, the company is in its 32^nd racing season.

“To have it happen in Saratoga is the most special thing,” said Bell, who noted that she first got involved with the accomplished partnership group only a few years after its inception in 1991. “Of course now West Point is all over the country, but way back in the early days, this is where Terry and Debbie started the operation. The success they have had with the organization is just amazing and I'm so happy for them.”

West Point's Founder, President and CEO Terry Finley was anxiously awaiting this milestone victory for weeks as the win count grew steadily throughout the summer. The organization achieved its 999^th win with Kodama (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) at Delaware Park on Aug. 13, but they just missed with half-a-dozen starters afterwards until the stars aligned for Phantom Smoke in Saratoga.

“I think that just drives home the fact that you can't be in a rush in this game no matter what,” Finley said. “[The 1000th win] exceeded my expectations. I think the best thing was just seeing the pride and gratitude of our team. Sure it's about the horses, but it's also about people. When you surround yourself with great people, win, lose or draw, they're the ones that help you make the memories that we all try to acquire in this business.”

The West Point Thoroughbreds team celebrates 1,000 wins | Sarah Andrew

Phantom Smoke's winner's circle photo included a host of West Point Thoroughbreds team members, many of whom have been associated with the company for over a decade including CFO Lindsey Heumann, Executive Vice Presidents Tom Bellhouse and Jeff Lifson, and Chief Marketing Officer Dawn Lenert.

Finley said his only regret on Sunday was that his daughter, Erin Birkenhauer, was not able to attend. The company's Chief Operating Officer lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky with her husband and two children, but was celebrating the achievement from afar.

“It's just amazing how it worked out that it was all at Saratoga,” Birkenhauer said before reflecting on the evolution of the business her parents founded. “I really think that Mom and Dad are the definition of the American dream. They started this from the very, very beginning. They've shown up every day and worked hard, treated people the right way and done things honestly. I think if you're going to play the long game in this business, you have to stand by those pillars. It's easy to forget back in 1991 when they had one $5,000 claimer. They were trying to make a go at this and everybody thought they were crazy. I'm really proud of them.”

Some of Birkenhauer's favorite memories involve West Point's top earners like GISWs Macho Again (Macho Uno) and Twilight Eclipse (Purim), who she picked out as a 3-year-old before he went on to win over $2 million. Birkenhauer said her respect for what her parents have accomplished together has grown since she joined the family business in 2010.

“I think one thing about my dad is that he's nice to everyone,” she shared. “Whether it's someone working on the backstretch or a billionaire, he takes the time to say hello. I give my mom credit too because for them to be able to build this business, Dad was on the road a lot growing up. I know now from having two kids, that is not easy. They really stuck together to make this work. It's really like building a house. Little by little they just kept building it up.”

Birkenhauer said that one of her favorite aspects of West Point–and one that she believes sets their partnership apart– is their focus on relationships with their partners.

“People like Tom, Jeff and Jason [Blewitt, Partner Account Representative] are the cultivators that make this a lifestyle investment,” she explained. “It's not just about going to the races; it's about the comradery. We have partners who are literally best friends because they met through West Point. We call it the West Point family and we try to make everyone a part of it, whether you own one horse with us or 20.”

In the interviews following West Point's 1,000th win, Finley said that one of the most significant accompanying accomplishments is that they have never had a horse come up with a positive drug test.

“I'm very proud of that and I don't downplay it,” he explained. “That's really the first thing when we talk to trainers. I know mistakes happen, that's one thing, but you look at our roster and you'll see people who have a history of doing the right thing.”

On the sales side of the industry, West Point's footprint has exploded over the past five years as they have teamed up to form powerhouse partnerships with the likes of owners like Woodford Racing, Hronis Racing, Siena Farm, Bobby Flay and Summer Wind Equine. Their purchases include, among others, MGSW First Captain (Curlin), a $1.5 million yearling, and talented GISW Flightline (Tapit), a $1 million yearling. At this year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, they formed similar partnerships to purchase the full-sister to First Captain for $2 million and an Uncle Mo colt for $1.5 million.

A busy winner's circle for Flightline's GI Metropolitan H. victory | Coglianese

Finley credits West Point's bloodstock agent David Ingordo for their success with these high-profile purchases.

“[David] has opened up relationships and alliances that frankly I never would have been availed to,” Finley said. “It has been really impactful. In 2018 we bought our first couple of big horses and everything just fell into place. A lot of money gets thrown around, but not everyone comes up with a Flightline. We definitely realize how fortunate we are to be in his midst.”

The success of these ultra-talented horses has placed partners like Lisa Bell in a dilemma. Bell has an ownership share in Flightline, who is preparing for the GI Pacific Classic S. on Sept 3. at Del Mar, and in First Captain, who is slated to make his next start in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S. at Saratoga on the same day.

“I had to decide where I'm going Labor Day weekend,” Bell said with a laugh. “It's a testament to Terry and his vision. He's made it grow as an avenue of business to include people like me, who don't have an exorbitant amount of money and can't just plop down a million dollars on a horse. It does a lot for the sport because it draws in regular folks.”

Getting to know partners, like Bell, who join the syndicate from all walks of life is one of the highlights of the vocation for Finley.

“One of the coolest parts of my job is the kaleidoscope of partners that I get to interact with and learn from,” he said. “To top it all off, I get to work with my family. I'm really lucky.”

Now with 138 stakes wins, 60 graded stakes wins, 15 Grade I wins and over $63 million in purse earnings, West Point Thoroughbreds—and Terry Finley–show no signs of slowing down any time soon.

“This game could never get ride of me,” Finley said. “This is all I've ever wanted to do is be in the horse business. When you're fortunate enough to work with very passionate people who are consistently looking to do the right thing and make good decisions, that helps when you go through the tough times that we all experience.  I'm proud of the horses we've had and the memories we've made for people. I'm proud of our team. I'm proud that I truly believe we've done it the right way and have tried our best to set a good example.”

The post West Point Thoroughbreds Celebrates Milestone Achievement appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The 29-year-old from Tracy, Calif., said he has been aware of his proximity to the milestone 1,000th victory for “a week or two,” but is approaching it philosophically.

“I embrace it, but I'm not thinking about it or paying attention to it that much,” Frey said. “I've noticed that sometimes when guys near a milestone they slow down – I don't if it's because they're too aware or nervous or what. I'm not nervous, I'm just trying to go out and do my best to win every race.”

Frey has 157 wins from 759 mounts with purse earnings of $4.1 million and ranks 50th among jockeys nationally for money won this year. He came to the summer meeting with plans to ride a few days at Del Mar and then return to Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco, where he was among the top riders.

He won two races the second day of the local meeting, then the Fleet Treat Stakes on I'm So Anna for trainer Steve Sherman on the second weekend and tabled the notion of returning to Northern California. He notched 14 wins from 145 mounts with purse earnings of nearly $1 million and finished eighth in the rider standings for the 31-day session, a breakthrough time in what has become the best season of his career, topping $4 million in purse earnings for the first time since 2011.

“That (summer meeting) meant everything,” Frey said. “I owe it to the trainers who gave me a chance on good horses. I was able to execute to their plans early and things worked out well.”

With 12 mounts over the next three days, Frey estimated chances are “pretty good” he'll be able to put 1,000 wins in the rearview mirror.

“Anytime you're in a race, you've got a chance,” Frey said.

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“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, New York, captured his first career victory with Proud Northern in October 1981 at the Big A. 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 through splits of 24.22 seconds, 48.80 and 1:13.50 in the one-mile inner turf event for New York-bred maiden fillies and mares. The sophomore daughter of The Factor opened up a 3 1/2-length lead at the stretch call and coasted home a 1 3/4-length winner in a final time of 1:36.55 over the firm going.

Castellano, who guided Caumsett to a narrow head loss with a similar pacesetting effort on September 19 at Belmont Park, said he felt confident throughout.

“That's the trip I was looking for today,” Castellano said. “Last time, she went to the lead and got caught in the last jump. It seemed to me that today there wasn't much speed in the race. I dictated the pace and they let me go easy. She rolled the whole way and finished really well.”

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. “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 trained 1992 Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Saratoga Dew, who captured that year's Grade 1 Beldame and Grade 1 Gazelle Handicap, both at Belmont Park, en route to becoming the first New York-bred to earn an Eclipse Award.

He also conditioned eight-time graded stakes-winning millionaire Subordination, who captured the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby in 1997 at Hollywood Park and the following year's Grade 1 Eddie Read at Del Mar.

Other prominent graded stakes winners to come up under Sciacca's care include 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.”

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“It's a big achievement for me,” Perez told The Racing Biz. “It's been ups and downs – more ups than downs. I had a couple of bad years, but it was just a little bump in the road. I went through it, and I'm here. I'm here.”

The 33-year-old native of Puerto Rico began his riding career at Charles Town, and moved to Maryland in 2011. His career-defining horse came in 2013 when he piloted Dance to Bristol to seven consecutive victories, including the G1 Ballerina at Saratoga.

Perez won just 22 races in both 2016 and 2017, but bounced back to double and then triple that total in the next two years.

His 1,000 victories have come from 8,134 mounts, with earnings approaching $26 million.

Read more at The Racing Biz and in this Maryland Jockey Club feature about the jockey.

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“I've been counting,” Perez, 33, said. “I told my wife, 'Look I'm getting close. It's coming. It's coming.' She was like, 'Don't start thinking about it.' So I said, 'I'm superstitious and I'm going to count it because I've been counting since I had 50 left and it's been working out for me.”

According to Equibase statistics, the count stands at 995 wins with mounts in four of nine races when live action returns to historic Pimlico Race Course Friday to kick off a Memorial Day weekend program that includes a special holiday card Monday, May 31. Perez also had one mount in Delaware Park's 10th race finale Wednesday.

Perez would be the second jockey to reach 1,000 wins in Maryland this year, following Carol Cedeno Jan. 2 at Laurel Park. Perez and Cedeno grew up together in Puerto Rico and were classmates at the country's famed Escuela Vocacional Hipica, graduating in 2006 and beginning their professional careers in 2007.

“We are childhood friends. It meant a lot to me that she got that milestone, and now that I'm getting close to it I'm getting anxious. I just want to do it,” Perez said. “A thousand wins is a big milestone. It means a lot for every rider in the country and the world.”

Perez rode the winter and spring of 2007 in Puerto Rico before coming to the U.S. that summer, registering his first career winner aboard Danger Quest Aug. 25, 2007 at Charles Town, where another former classmate, Arnaldo Bocachica, had urged him to start.

“He is one of my best friends and he contacted me when I started riding. He told me he was talking to his agent and was telling him about me,” Perez said. “He said I didn't have to bring anything, just my tack. I had a place to stay and a fresh start. That meant a lot. I'm blessed that he's in my life. He's been an amazing brother and amazing friend to me.”

Represented by agent J.D. Brown, Perez rode 3 ½ years at Charles Town – winning the $500,000 West Virginia Breeders' Cup Classic in 2010 with 57-1 long shot Sea Rescue – before moving to Maryland at the start of 2011. That fall, he won a total of 32 races for 20 different trainers at Laurel with an average win mutuel of $14.75.

The first big horse of Perez's career was Susan Wantz's Dance to Bristol, trained by Ollie Figgins III. During the winter, spring and summer of 2013 they won seven consecutive races including the Skipat at Pimlico, Bed o'Roses (G3) at Belmont Park, and Honorable Miss (G2) and Ballerina (G1) at Saratoga – the jockey's first graded triumphs. They would end the year finishing sixth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita.

Perez's most memorable ride came earlier that year, gaining national attention for a mid-April trip aboard Spicer Cub that saw the gelding blow Pimlico's far turn while on the lead, then bolt suddenly to the outside fence and around the parked starting gate before making a mad dash to the wire and finishing second by a nose. Perez lost both his irons in the process.

“That pushed me to have the campaign that I had. After Spicer Cub, a lot of trainers and owners were asking for me, and me and my agent were really busy. We were going to New York, Monmouth Park, Philadelphia, Colonial Downs, Charles Town. We were riding everywhere on the East Coast. It was a great year,” Perez said. “Still people talk about it. It makes me feel good. I got famous for something that was crazy. It was a jump start for me.”

Perez finished 2013 with 133 wins and $3.8 million in purse earnings, both of which remain career highs. He won his last graded-stakes with Bandbox in the 2014 General George (G3) at Laurel, and in recent years has been part of a formidable team with trainer John 'Jerry' Robb that has put him aboard multiple stakes winners Anna's Bandit and Street Lute as well as Anna's Bandit's 2-year-old half-sister, Bandits Warrior, a debut winner May 23 at Pimlico.

Street Lute has raced 10 times with seven wins, six in stakes, and Perez has been aboard for each of her last seven races including five of her stakes victories. Anna's Bandit owns 17 wins from 36 starts and Perez has accounted for 14 of her wins and 10 of her 11 stakes triumphs, riding in 30 of her last 31 races.

“Dance to Bristol was a special horse to me because it gave me my first graded races,” Perez said. “I didn't have the chance to get on her in the morning like I do with these three mares. I'm there at 5:30 in the morning with Jerry's horses. I take my time with Anna. I take my time with Street Lute. I take my time with Bandits Warrior, and it's paying off. It means so much to me to get the chance to ride such amazing animals.”

Perez had 58 wins in Maryland in a coronavirus pandemic-shortened 2020, 41 of them in 157 starts (26 percent) for Robb – the most of any jockey-trainer combination on the year – including Robb's 2,000th career victory with Stroll Smokin at Laurel. This year they are 19-for-63 (30 percent) together at Laurel and Pimlico.

“He's at the barn every morning, he's getting on them, he knows the horses. I think that means a lot, especially with young horses,” Robb said. “He gets on all the horses. He doesn't get on them all every day, but he gets on all of them at one time or another and he knows them. I think that plays a big role in it.”

Other top horses for Perez have included multiple stakes winners Sensible Lady and Talk Show Man and 2015 Maryland Million Distaff winner Lionhearted Lady. Perez's mounts have earned more than $25.6 million in purses.

“It would mean so much if I get to do it in Maryland, because the people in Maryland have been so great to me,” Perez said. “I have to say thanks to all the trainers that have supported me, riding me the 11 wonderful years I've been in Maryland. My agent has always been right there with me keeping me on the right path. He knows me well. Jerry and the whole team, they've been so amazing to me. They are like family to me. Me and my wife are so blessed and thankful to have such great people around us. I hope it stays like that for a while.”

Perez credits his wife, Jessica, for helping his maturity on and off the track. They met in 2009 when she was ponying the horse he was riding to the starting gate at Colonial Downs and have been together since.

“Thank God I have my wife beside me, 24-7. She's always supported me and she never lets me get too down when I have bad days,” Perez said. “It's been a great journey. There's been ups and downs, but there's been more ups than downs and I'm just grateful for that.”

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“I'm very happy to get this milestone,” said Riquelme. “I want to thank all the trainers and owners along the way that have supported me and given me the opportunity to ride.”

Riquelme began his riding career in his native Peru at Hipodromo de Monterrico in Lima in 1992. He moved his tack to the United States in 2000 and has enjoyed success through several circuits including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Louisiana. He has been riding the summer months in Indiana since 1997 and now calls Indiana home with his wife, Gregoria, and daughter, Nathalia, along with their son, Jose.

Riquelme rode the winter at Fair Grounds in New Orleans where he won 28 races and finished in the top 10 among the leading jockeys. With limited starts this season at Indiana Grand in the first month of action, he has already earned three wins in 12 starts to help push him over the milestone.

The biggest win for Riquelme came in 2015 aboard Hard Aces for trainer Larry Jones in the Louisiana Handicap at Fair Grounds. The multiple stakes winning jockey has earned in excess of $19 million during his career in the United States.

Riquelme was joined by his wife, Gregoria, and daughter, Nathalia, for the winner's circle presentation. Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing, helped honor Riquelme for his latest accomplishment.

The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is now in progress and continues through Monday, Nov. 8. Live racing is conducted at 2:25 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, with first post on Thursday set at 3:25 p.m. A special Indiana Champions Day highlighting the state's top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses will be held Saturday, Oct. 30, beginning at noon. More information about the 2021 racing season is available at www.caesars.com/indiana-grand.

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With a three-win day on Monday and 11 wins that included two stakes over the four-day Presidents' Day holiday, Prat entered Friday's festivities with 998 career wins. Victorious in today's opener aboard Bob Baffert's 2-5 favorite Du Jour, Prat wasted little time in reaching number 1,000 as he guided Wong's 3-5 favorite Clockstrikestwelve to a last to first triumph in race two, winning by 2 ¼ lengths.

Born Aug. 4, 1992 in Melun, France, Prat, the son of a trainer, won the 2019 Kentucky Derby via disqualification aboard the William Mott-trained Country House and is currently atop the Santa Anita rider standings with 32 wins, three more than Juan Hernandez, with 25 full days of racing completed. Also in 2019, Prat also became only the third jockey to ever win the Kentucky Derby and Canada's championship race for 3-year-olds, the Queen's Plate, in the same year, joining Bill Hartack (1964) and Kent Desormeaux (1998).

“It means a lot, it's a big achievement,” said Prat following today's second race. “I wasn't dreaming of that when I came here (from France) to be honest with you and I didn't think it would happen so quickly. It felt like yesterday that I got here and started riding…

“(Looking to the future) I hope to do as good as I have done. I don't want to be satisfied with what I've done, I want to try to improve. I think there's room for improvement…It's nice, it's been a lot of support from my family and the trainers and owners, all the connections. It's something I share with everybody. I've been lucky to have been on a lot of good horses…They all have a place in my heart.”

Clockstrikestwelve, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred mare by New Year's Day who had won her last four starts, three of them at Golden Gate Fields, was saddled by trainer Kristin Mulhall and paid $3.20 to win.

Prat, who as a teenager, worked full-time during the winter mornings for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella and split riding time between Santa Anita and his native France, registered his first Santa Anita win at age 17 on Jan. 15, 2010 aboard the Suzanne Rodriguez-trained Heavenly n' Free, who paid $103.40 to win.

In a move that surprised many in the racing industry, Prat announced last week that he was parting company with his longtime agent Derek Lawson and that he had hired veteran agent Brad Pegram, who will now represent both Prat and Mike Smith.

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He was extremely close to clinching the owner title for himself, needing one more win to eliminate Steve Asmussen going into the ninth race. Caldwell's horse Hansens Mischief crossed the finish line first but was disqualified for bumping the runner-up Euromantic in the stretch. Now, Asmussen at 24 wins, must win with all three of his starters on closing day Tuesday, and Caldwell would have to lose with all five of his entrants for there to be a tie. If one Asmussen-owned horse loses, Caldwell, who already has 27 wins, would be the solo winner.

Caldwell has entered Popfly Two Six (9-2 morning line odds) in the third, Off Sixes (6-1) in the fourth, Touching Rainbows (9-2) in the seventh, Beauty Day (5-1) in the eighth and Something Super (6-1) in the ninth. Asmussen has horses in race one with Princess Asya (2-1), race four with Don't Forget (2-1) and race eight with Upgrade Me (5-2).

Caldwell, who has won 370 times at Remington Park, also won his 1,000th career race as a Thoroughbred owner on Monday afternoon, according to Equibase stats. That came with his first win of the day, taking the fifth with Unlawful Assembly (7-5) with jockey Ramon Vazquez riding for trainer Federico Villafranco. Vazquez has won for Caldwell 216 times at Remington, by far the most of any jockeys. Sophie Doyle was the winning rider aboard Forty Nine Model (3-1) in the eighth, Caldwell's 370th and 1,001st, respectively in those categories. Caldwell's Thoroughbred horses in his career have earned $19,714,997 from 4,904 starts.

“I really appreciate Remington Park for everything they've done for me and the horsemen,” said Caldwell. “I'm so glad I got 1,000 here. It's a pleasure to do it at my home track.”

Leading rider David Cabrera also had a stellar day, winning four times to surpass his all-time best mark at Remington Park. He now is four wins away from 100 for the meet with eight mounts remaining Tuesday. His 96 wins this meet also is a personal best in winning his last three titles here. He had 95 in 2018 and 83 last year when he was top jock.

Cabrera's horse's earnings surpassed the $2 million mark for the third year in a row. He had a best $2,377,944 in 2018; $2,159,916 for 2019, and stands at $2,026,684 for 2020 going into Tuesday's races. His four winners Monday, Martz's Mae ($4.40 to win) in the second, Absaroka ($5) in the sixth, Shifty Henry ($3.60) in the seventh and Tell Me Boo Boo ($3.40) in the 10th, and a fifth place horse in another race gave his mounts $28,104 for the day.

Also Tuesday, Jearl “Ace” Hare hung up his tack as a trainer, sending out the final horse of his career – Sandy Crest in the 10th. In his racing career, the trainer, since 1991, had 2,142 starters, 228 winners, 249 seconds and 279 thirds for earnings of $2.96 million.

The final race date of the 2020 Thoroughbred Season takes place Tuesday, Dec. 22, with the first of 10 races underway at Noon-Central.

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Wethey gives credit for reaching the milestone to the support of those around him and riding for 14 years, relatively without injury.

“I started riding when I was 17 and I had always hoped to reach milestones like this,” said Wethey, who calls both Bluejacket, Okla. and Oklahoma City his homes. “It's a great milestone and not a whole lot of people do it. I've had a lot of help. I thank the good Lord that I have so many friends and family that support me.”

Wethey went straight to the lead in the irons of Elijah Anet and made every pole a winning one in the 5 1/2-furlong race for claiming $7,500 Oklahoma-bred horses, 3-years-old and older. They covered the distance with fractions of :21.98 seconds for the first quarter-mile, :45.48 for the half-mile and :57.93 for five furlongs before winning in a time of 1:04.64. The betting public sent the 4-year-old gelding by Silver City, out of the Anet mare Sister Anet, off at 5-2 odds and he paid $7.80 to win, $4.40 to place and $3.80 to show.

“I've ridden a lot of great horses that gave me thrills, winning Oklahoma Classics races and other stakes,” said Wethey. “I had Reel Chrome, Steal Your Face and Okie Ride and they all are very special. Hey, I even get attached to the claimers. Reel Chrome, she was tough as nails.”

He will certainly always remember one claimer, Elijah Anet.

“The meet has been great so far; (agent) Bubba (Wood) has gotten me on some good horses and I've been lucky enough to win a few,” he said. “Looking back, I've won two or three riding titles at Claremore (Will Rogers Downs) and three or four in Tulsa (Fair Meadows. I'm just going to keep on keeping on.”

Wethey began riding in 2007, winning 21 races his first year and $198,195. He quickly boosted that to 83 wins the next year with his horses winning $1,342,941. Twelve of the 14 years of riding his horses have surpassed $1 million in earnings. His biggest year came in 2018 when they banked $2,040,568. He has surpassed 100 wins in a year twice – 109 in 2009 and 103 in 2017.

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