Deshawn Parker wins his 5,000th race

Deshawn Parker became the 32nd rider to win 5,000 races Monday night, when he won the third race at Mountaineer Park aboard Be Nice for trainer Eric Reed.

Parker, a 45-year-old native of Cincinnati, has been riding since 1988. He is the all-time leading rider at Mountaineer, has twice led the nation in wins, and has won 200 or more races in 13 of the last 14 years.

Parker came into the card two winners shy of 5,000. He won the second race on Dragon Attack for trainer Edward Clouston prior to scoring his milestone win.

Parker, who is 5' 11" but can tack 116 pounds, has scored 4,565 of his career wins at Mountaineer. He led the nation in wins in 2010 (377) and 2011 (400).

Parker’s career highlights include riding Frazee’s Folly to victory in the late Dale Baird's 9,000th career win. Parker and Baird teamed up to win 635 races together.

Parker also won four races with Rapid Redux during the horse's 22-race winning streak, which began in December 2010 and ended when he made his final career start January 2012.

Parker scored the richest victory of his career last year in the $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Cup on Looks to Spare, who paid $150.60. He also has won the $125,000 Mountaineer Mile three times.