Juarez posts 1,000th win

Alfredo Juarez Jr. deftly guided Cheerful Copy to victory in the fifth race at Sunland Park Saturday to notch his 1,000th career Thoroughbred win.

Cheerful Copy, who is is trained by Simon Buechler, paid $6.80 for her maiden win. Counting all breeds Juarez Jr. now has 1,018 victories.

Juarez, 30, had a strong season here last year, ending up second in the rider standings with 58 wins.

Juarez, a native of Mexico, came to the United States in 1996 after being a top rider at Hippodromo de las Americas. Since moving his tack to the United States he has had success riding at Emerald, Hawthorne, Arlington, Santa Fe, Ruidoso, and Turf Paradise. During his stint in Chicago he piloted eventual Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem to a maiden and an allowance win. His mounts have earned over $16 million.

Juarez is fourth in the Sunland standings with 15 victories.