Tampa Bay Downs: Spieth wins 4,000th race as jockey

OLDSMAR, Fla. – Jockey Scott Spieth notched his 4,000th career win Friday, when he guided Ula to a 5 1/4-length victory over a field of maidens in the seventh race at Tampa Bay Downs.

The win was one of three posted by the 45-year-old Spieth on the Friday program. The veteran, who has been riding since 1986, thanked his fellow riders, the trainers who have supported him throughout his career, and his family, noting that “There is a lot of dedication and loyalty required in this business.”

Spieth has posted a least 100 wins in a year 21 times, with his best year coming in 2005 when he won 307 races.

Even though he arrived after the meeting started this season, he has been winning at a steady clip. His three-bagger on Friday raised his win total for the meeting to 29.