Monticello: Jim Taggart Jr. reaches 5,000 wins

On Tuesday afternoon (January 28), Jim Taggart Jr notched a career milestone as he won his 5,000th win aboard GD Striker in the 8th race at Monticello Raceway. GD Striker wired the field in a five-length victory in 2:01 2/5 over New York Attitude (Renaldo Morales III), who finished second followed by London Hanover (Bruce Aldrich Jr.)

The 49-year-old Taggart has been a fixture of the Mighty M for decades, the PA native has enjoyed much success with trainer Gary Messenger and ironically it was a Messenger trained horse that earned Taggart the milestone win. GD Striker picked up his first win of his 2020 season. He is a 4-year-old gelding by Guccio and is owned by Jason Darling of Burlington NJ.

During his career, his mounts have earned $24,710,856 in purses. Taggart was the leading dash-winning driver at Monticello Raceway for 2019 and presently he is in 3rd place with 17 wins, behind Greg Merton (18) and Bruce Aldrich Jr. (19).

-edited release (Monticello)