Delaware Park: Gary Capuano saddles 1,000th career winner

Veteran trainer Gary Capuano recorded the 1,000th victory of his training career Wednesday, when Miss Speaker captured the second race at Delaware Park in Stanton, Del.

Capuano, 49, is best known for his work with Captain Bodgit, the narrowly beaten runner-up in the 1997 Kentucky Derby. Capuano has trained since 1988.

Capuano, a Maryland native and lifelong resident, is the younger brother of trainer Dale Capuano, who passed the 3,000-win milestone in February 2012. They are the sons of Phil Capuano, a longtime owner-breeder who died earlier this year.

Miss Speaker, ridden by apprentice Trevor McCarthy, is a 5-year-old mare owned by Non Stop Stable. She won the six-furlong, $5,000 claiming race by a neck and paid $8.20 to win as second choice in a field of seven.

After his 999th win at Timonium on Aug. 23, Capuano had sent out eight starters, including five who ran second, before reaching the milestone. In fact, Capuano had sent out the runner-up, Petie’s Boy, in the first race Wednesday at Delaware.