Specht wins 1,000th of career

Trainer Steve Specht scored the 1,000th victory of his career Wednesday at Golden Gate Fields when Veillit' scored a $22.80 upset in the fifth race.

The 2-year-old Veillit', owned and bred by Larry and Marianne Williams, defeated Zozensual by two lengths in a $12,500 maiden claimer, covering the one mile in 1:41.15.

Specht, 59, began his career as an assistant to his father, Robert, in Chicago. He came to Northern California in 1986.

The victory was Specht's third straight with Williams-bred runners. Victory No. 998 came in Saturday's seventh race with Antares World. Lady Railrider's victory in the Pacific Heights Stakes was No. 999.

Specht's No. 1 rider Frank Alvarado was aboard each of the runners.

"I was happy to win [No. 1,000] with the Williamses and Frank," said

Specht. "They are very good clients and breed a lot of horses. Frank has

won a lot of races for me, and some pretty big ones."