Clark gets win No. 3,000 on a double DQ
Jockey Kerwin Clark has some engaging racing stories after more than 40 years in the business. His latest concerns how he hit a milestone of 3,000 North American wins in Thursday night’s ninth race at Delta Downs in Vinton, La.
The feat was achieved on a double disqualification.
Clark and his mount, B Brazin, finished third in the $10,000 conditioned claimer for Louisiana-breds. But after an inquiry into the stretch run, the stewards disqualified both first-place finisher Run With Class and second-place finisher Drewstormin for interference. The action elevated B Brazin to first, cementing the milestone for Clark.
“I wasn’t expecting it to happen the way it did, but this is horse racing and anything can happen,” Clark said in a post-race interview with Delta Downs announcer Don Stevens. “What a way to get to 3,000 - a double disqualification. I don’t like to win that way, but I’ll take it.”
Clark and B Brazin ($7) were in contention in the late stages of Thursday’s race when Run With Class came over on B Brazin, who had to alter course. After a lengthy stewards’ inquiry, Run With Class was placed second, and Drewstormin third.
Clark was aboard B Brazin for Triple C Racing Stables and trainer Jesus Garrido.
Clark, a 57-year-old native of Duson, La., began riding in 1975. His career has taken him to tracks throughout North America as well as to Saudi Arabia, where for four years he was the contract rider for the late King Abdullah. Clark in 2015 reached a pinnacle when he won the Kentucky Oaks with Lovely Maria.
“The last eighth of a mile, when she started stepping away, I was like, ‘This is going to happen,” Clark said in a recent interview with Daily Racing Form. “What an unbelievable experience. To have so many people watching on a day like that, and to win a race of that caliber after being in this game 40 years, it was a dream come true.”
Clark’s first win came at Evangeline Downs in Carencro, La., in 1975. Other career highlights include winning the Ashland with Lovely Maria and the Pennsylvania Derby aboard Western Playboy.
“I love the horses,” Clark said. “I just love them.”
Clark has ridden in 24,205 races in North America for mount earnings of more than $52 million, according to statistics from Equibase. He is one of five finalists for the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, Santa Anita announced on Dec. 7. The winner will be named in February.