6/1/09
Last updated: 5/30/09 4:38 PM
Jockeys Jose Flores and Chris Emigh each recorded milestone wins in their
careers on Saturday, with Flores taking his 4000th race and Emigh capturing his
3,000th victory.
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Jose Flores has surpassed his own expectations
(Alyssa Spakowski/Equi-Photo) |
May has been “Milestone Month” for jockeys at in Pennsylvania. Just a
couple weeks ago, Frankie Pennington made an evening’s sojourn to Penn
National and came home with his 1,000th win. This past week,
Roberto Alvarado Jr. won for the 2,000th time is his career at
Philadelphia Park.
On Saturday, Flores added to the excitement in the Keystone State with a victory in the 3RD
race at Philadelphia Park aboard the favored Abulletforfrank (Red Bullet),
landing him in the winner’s circle for the 4,000th time is his career.
“You know when you don’t know what to say,” a jubilant Flores smiled.
“I’m speechless. But truthfully, I’m very excited to have reached 4,000.
The sport and the profession have a lot of highs and lows. This is very
special.”
Jose began riding 29 years ago in his native Peru. After coming to
the United States, he achieved great success at Penn National, winning
four riding titles in just five years in the late 90s. He made
Philadelphia Park his home beginning in 1999 and had immediate success,
teaming up with trainer Scott Lake. He won his first riding title at the
Bensalem, Pennsylvania, track in 2004.
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After coming to Philly Park, when interviewed for some biographical
information, Flores remarked that, by the end of his career, he’d like to get to
3,000 wins. He’s left that mark in the dust. He’s at 4,000 and is still
counting.
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Chris Emigh surrounded by family and friends following his 3000th win
(Four Footed Fotos) |
Just a couple hours later, longtime Chicago-based jockey Emigh notched
the 3,000th victory of his career when he guided Thanks Lord (Classified
Facts) to a 1 3/4-length win in the 4TH race at Arlington Park.
Emigh was joined in the winner’s circle by his wife Kim, son Hunter,
daughter Taylor and agent Jay Fedor as well as his fellow riders and
Arlington Park executives as a video played saluting the milestone score
as well as highlights of his entire career.
“This was the best name for the horse to do it on — Thanks Lord,”
Emigh said. “I was riding 10 (races) today and if I didn’t (get the
milestone win) today I’d be fired. I want to thank my agent Jay Fedor
and all the trainers who rode me especially Frank Kirby, Christine
Janks, Brian Williamson and Scott Becker.”
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The 38-year-old resident of Elburn, Illinois, was the 2006 riding champion at
Arlington Park and has been a mainstay on the Chicago circuit since 1996.
