PINO RIDES 6,300TH WINNER
LAUREL, MD. 12-09-10--- Mario Pino reached another milestone this afternoon. The 49-year-old won for the 6,300th time in his career when he guided Star Anna ($5) to victory in today’s seventh race at Laurel Park. The duo got up in the final few jumps to turn back Tylerton.
“I didn’t think we were going to win it,” said Pino, who lives in nearby Ellicott City and became the 15th rider to win 6,000 races on Nov. 7, 2007. “It isn’t as easy as everyone thinks to win races.”
Winning has not been tough for a jockey who rode his first winner, Ed’s Desire, at old Bowie Race Course in January 1979 when he was 17 on his way to eleven 200-win seasons. He ranked in the top five of the Maryland standings every year for 25 straight years (’79-2003).
“I have tried to work hard and fulfill obligations,” added Pino. “By staying consistent every day, the wins have added up. I have been lucky to ride a ton of quality horses for good people.”
Pino joined legendary King Leatherbury in the 6,300 club. The 77-year-old conditioner has 6,312 victories, third on the all-time trainer win list.
“To win 6,300 as a trainer is even more impressive,” Pino said.
ALL-TIME NORTH AMERICAN WIN LIST (active riders in bold)
1. Russell Baze 11,115
2. Laffit Pincay 9,530
3. Bill Shoemaker 8,833
4. Pat Day 8,803
5. David Gall 7,396
6. Chris McCarron 7,141
7. Angel Cordero 7,057
8. Jorge Velasquez 6,795
9. Earlie Fires 6,470
10. Sandy Hawley 6,450
11. Edgar Prado 6,428
12. Larry Snyder 6,388
13. Eddie Delahoussaye 6,384
14. Carl Gambardella 6,349
15. Mario Pino 6,300
Of the 14 riders ahead of him on the list, all but Gall, Snyder and Gambardella have been inducted into racing’s Hall of Fame. Pino’s goal is to retire in the top ten. Assuming Edgar Prado will also be in that select company, Pino will need to win 171 races to secure the ranking.
“To have my name on this list is awesome, I think they all belong in the Hall of Fame,” said Pino, whose horses have earned more than $114 million, 32nd in the all-time standings. “I have ridden with some great riders here in Maryland and to be able to stay consistent all this time has been worth it.”
Pino, who won his 5,000th race on his 41st birthday, became one of the principal players in the 2007 Triple Crown as the rider for Hard Spun with an exciting second place finish in the Kentucky Derby and a respectable third in the Preakness Stakes. The duo completed a fantastic campaign with a game second place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
-mjc-
PHOTO CREDIT-Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club
Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club
410-578-4461 (Pimlico)
301-470-5461 (Laurel Park)
240-876-7403 (Mobile)
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