Ry Eikleberry rides 2,000th winner

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Jockey Ry Eikleberry guided home Dust Roller to capture the second race at Turf Paradise Monday, notching career win 2,000. Not to rest on his laurels, the 29-year-old came right back to win the day’s third race to take his total to 2001 as part of a three-win day.

Eikleberry, born and raised in Cave Creek, a small town just north of Phoenix, is the son of trainer Kevin Eikleberry who gave him a leg up for his big win. He said his father first put him on a horse when he was a 2-year-old and he’s been going ever since.

Later on the program he ran second aboard Fortified Effort in the $53,972 ATBA Fall Sales Stakes.

He was the leading rider here from 2008-2011 before moving his tack to New Mexico, which remains his primary base of operations.

“Gratitude is what I feel,” he said. “Gratitude to all those people and horses who helped me reach this plateau.”