Laurel Park: Leatherbury passes Van Berg for fourth place all-time

Legendary Maryland-based trainer King Leatherbury moved into fourth place on Thoroughbred racing’s all-time win list by saddling two winners Saturday afternoon at Laurel Park.

Leathebury, 80, now stands at 6,418 victories, one ahead of Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg. Only the late Dale Baird (9,445), Steve Asmussen (6,644), and Jerry Hollendorfer (6,569) have more career victories. Scott Lake ranks sixth with 5,242 wins, nearly 1,000 behind Leatherbury and Van Berg.

Leatherbury tied Van Berg when Toni With an I ($11.20) got up by a neck in a $15,000 claiming sprint for fillies and mares in the fourth race. Three races later, Princess Appeal ($7.60) got up in the final jump to win a $5,000 claimer for fillies and mares by a head. Apprentice Trevor McCarthy rode both winners.

“It is great,” Leatherbury said. “The wins added up over the years. We have only had the one division the entire time, which makes it even more remarkable.”

In the mid 1970s, Leatherbury had four consecutive 300-win campaigns and was the nation’s leading trainer in 1977 and 1978. He finished in the top three for six straight years (1975-1980).