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Sheldon Russell Nabs 1,500th Win

Midlantic-based rider Sheldon Russell secured the 1,500th win of his career when he captured Pimlico Race Course's $100,000 Alma North S. with 1-9 favorite Hello Beautiful (Golden Lad) Saturday. The 4-year-old filly, who is owned by Madaket Stables, Albert Frassetto, Mark Parkinson, K-Mac Stables, and Magic City Stables, is trained by Russell's wife, Brittany.

“I'm just very happy that we got it out of the way, and for it to happen on Hello Beautiful,” said Russell. “She's been a great filly throughout my career, she's given me some great wins. She was mine and Brittany's first stakes winner together, so for me to reach a milestone on one of our favorite fillies, it's something I'll never forget.”

Russell teamed with his agent, Marty Leonard, to give Luis Barajas, Hello Beautiful's groom, $1,500 to celebrate the milestone. He had done the same–gifting $1,000 to his mount's groom–when he notched the 1,000th win of his career in 2015.

Maryland's overall leading rider in 2011, Russell has won eight career meet titles. He currently ranks second to fellow rider Charlie Marquez for Maryland's most wins in 2021. Russell and his wife have a toddler daughter and are expecting a second child later this year.

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Gerard Melancon Wins 5,000th Race

Louisiana native Gerard Melancon became the 37th jockey in North America to reach the milestone of 5,000 wins when his mount in the eighth race at Evangeline Downs Thursday night, Reposado (Shackleford), crossed the wire in front by 5 3/4 lengths. The first time he had visited the winner's circle as a rider at Evangeline Downs was 37 years ago. Melancon's first professional ride was at Delta Downs in 1984. He has since ridden in more than 31,900 races and earned nearly $88 million in purse money. He had recently passed retired Hall of Famer Ramon Dominguez on the all-time career wins list and has just 35 victories to go to match the win mark of retired Hall of Famer Alex Solis.

“I have to thank my wife, Annette, for all of her support through the years,” said Melancon, who is 54. “Manuel Robin was integral in giving me a chance to get started, and my agent Louis Coco has been a great partner for the past 25 years.”

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Wesley Ward Notches 2,000th Training Win

Trainer Wesley Ward, known particularly for his prowess with 2-year-olds and his success when shipping to Royal Ascot, recorded his 2,000th win as a trainer Thursday when Gold for Kitten (Kitten's Joy) won the sixth race at Churchill Downs. Among Ward's top horses as a trainer have been English highweight and MG1SW Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy); French highweight and G1SW No Nay Never (Scat Daddy); Eclipse champion and Breeders' Cup winner Judy the Beauty (Ghostzapper); and additional Breeders' Cup winners Hootenanny (Quality Road), Four Wheel Drive (American Pharoah), and Golden Pal (Uncle Mo).

Ward was previously honored with the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey (1984) during his riding career before turning to training. The 2,000-win mark is according to statistics provided by Equibase and may not include all foreign victories.

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Jockey Rocco Bowen Gets Win 1,000 at Indiana Grand

Barbados native Rocco Bowen reached the 1,000th win of his riding career Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. He had stalled, going zero for 23, since getting his 999th win Nov. 4. It was a pick-up mount for trainer Tim Glyshaw in Wednesday’s ninth race that netted the milestone win. Dox Folly (Paddy O’Prado) won the Indiana-bred starter allowance by 5 1/2 lengths.

“I even changed my boots today,” said Bowen. “This sign is going straight to my mom. Thank you to everyone. It’s been such a pleasure to be here and everyone has been so welcoming. I want to thank all the agents throughout my career and all the people that have been in my corner. This is for everyone that has been supportive.”

Bowen had been sidelined by an injury sustained while riding from September, 2018, to this spring. This is his first year riding in Indiana and he ranks among the top 10 jockeys there. He has accumulated more than $11 million in purses throughout his career since 2007.

Eric Halstrom, Indiana Grand’s vice president and general manager of racing, made the winner’s circle presentation.

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