Albuquerque: Jesse Jimenez Garcia wins No. 2,000

Jockey Jesse Jimenez Garcia won the 2,000th Thoroughbred race of his career Wednesday at the Downs at Albuquerque, when he guided Joyssweetjoy to a half-length win in the fifth race. The horse rallied from last in the $4,000 claiming sprint, and paid $4.

Garcia’s first win as a jockey came on Aug. 2, 1982, at Del Mar. He has had 16,637 Thoroughbred mounts, and they have earned more than $18 million. In all, Garcia, who is riding on a New Mexico circuit that includes races for Quarter Horses, has won has won 2,048 races from 16,955 starts, for mount earnings of $19 million.

He was aboard Joyssweetjoy on Wednesday for owner Jack Dale and trainer Jose Gonzalez.