Richard Migliore recorded his 4,000th win with a victory in Friday’s 7TH race
at Aqueduct. The 40-year-old rider guided Benjamin Baby (Forest Wildcat) to a
front-running, 7 1/2-length score in the six-furlong event.
“You put a number on it and it becomes something you want badly — and I
wanted it badly,” Migliore said following his milestone victory. “I’m proud of
the achievement. I started my career here, and all of my success has been in the
major leagues. Nothing is padded. I’m real fortunate to ride for good people.
“You don’t get to 4,000 wins without a lot of help along the way.”
Migliore, who reached 3,999 wins with a victory aboard Hurricane Erica (Artax)
in Friday’s 2ND race, began his career in 1980 and was the leading rider in New
York in 1981 as an apprentice. He won more races than anybody in the Empire
State again in 1985.
Known for his tenacious riding style, he’s aptly nicknamed “The Mig,”
after a type of fighter jet. He’s also battled injuries throughout his
career, including a near-fatal neck injury suffered in a spill at Belmont Park
in 1988 and a broken arm from a mishap at Belmont in 1999.
Born in Babylon, New York, Migliore won the 2003 Mike Venezia Award from the
New York Racing Association for sportsmanship and citizenship.
“I’m a fan of the game,” Migliore said. “I love Thoroughbred racing and I
want people to see all the good about it because there is so much good.”