Blinston rides 1,000th winner

Jockey Ron Blinston won his 1,000th race on Friday evening aboard Taktical Risk ($21.50) in the first race at Northlands Park.

Blinston, 46, began his riding career at Turf Paradise in 1980.

"I started out riding for Red Smith in Phoenix," said Blinston. "It took me a while, but a lot of guys can't say they have won this many races. It's something to be proud of."

Blinston has ridden mostly in Alberta, and between Northlands and Stampede Park he has 821 victories. He rode as an apprentice at Hastings and has competed at all of the tracks in western Canada. Blinston has also ridden at several U.S. tracks.