Jockey Robby Albarado became the 57th North American jockey to reach the
4,000-victory milestone when he rode Barbara Hunter’s Keertana (Johar) to
victory in the 9TH race at Churchill Downs on Saturday. In his milestone
triumph, Albarado split horses in deep stretch on the Matt Winn Turf Course to
edge Kiss Mine (Mineshaft) by three-quarters of a length for the victory.
“I never thought I’d get to 4,000 so it’s an honor,” Albarado said. “I’ve got
to congratulate all of the owners and trainers who have supported me
continuously throughout the years. They stuck by me, and it’s pretty much been
the same guys for the last 10 to 15 years.”
A 35-year-old native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Albarado rode his first winner
at age 16 at Evangeline Downs in Louisiana. Albarado, who won his first
Churchill Downs riding title at the 2008 Spring Meet, has ridden 812 of his
4,001 winners beneath the Twin Spires, the sixth-largest win total in track
history. Albarado was the regular rider for dual Horse of the Year Curlin and
won his only victory in a Triple Crown race, the 2007 Preakness S. (G1), aboard
the chestnut. Albarado also was the regular rider for 2003 Horse of the Year
Mineshaft. In his career, Albarado has ridden more than 24,000 races with
earnings in excess of $149 million.
Not satisfied with ending the day on a milestone high, Albarado went on to
capture win number 4,001 when piloting Bold Start (Jump Start) to a 2 3/4-length
victory in the Aristides S. (G3) in the 10TH race.
“I guess my next goal would be 5,000,” Albarado added. “That’s kind of the
end your career or the retirement number for most jocks. Once you get to that
5,000, you start looking for the way out. I’m not saying that’s my way out, but
you set goals for yourself.”