Pincay hits 9,500 victories

ARCADIA, Calif. - Jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. won the 9,500th race of his prolific career in Wednesday's fifth race at Santa Anita.

The world's all-time leading rider, Pincay, 56, reached 9,499 on Saturday, but needed 15 more mounts on Saturday, Sunday, and part of Wednesday's program before reaching the milestone. He nearly scored victory number 9,500 in Wednesday's second race when his mount, Jaciro, finished a nose behind the heavily favored Point Clear. It was one of four runner-up finishes for Pincay in the 15-mount span.

Pincay rode Saxony in the fifth race. Saxony stalked the pace to the final turn, took the lead in early stretch, and held off a stubborn Watermelon Wine to win a seven-furlong sprint for fillies and mares.

"It's a big accomplishment for me," Pincay said. "I've been trying since last week. It seems like I had a lot of seconds lately, but I got this today."

The all-time leading rider at Santa Anita and the senior member of the jockey roster, Pincay entered Wednesday's program in fourth-place in the standings.

"I've been feeling well, and I've been riding nice horses," he said. "I don't know when I'll quit. I'll take it year by year. As long as I'm still enjoying it, I'll keep going."