Turf Paradise: McFarlane wins 1,000th race as trainer

Trainer Dan McFarlane notched career Thoroughbred training victory No. 1,000 when he sent out Enter Back to capture the ninth race Monday at Turf Paradise.

McFarlane, 48, has been training for 21 years and notched his first victory at Rillito Park in Tucson, Ariz., in 1989 with Avocado Green. The Pontiac, Ill., native then moved to Turf Paradise to train for Jim and Dennis Weir, annually among the top owners in Arizona.

Prior to going out on his own, he worked with Quarter Horses with Owen McDaniel and John Bassett and also did a year’s work under Michael Dickinson of Da Hoss fame in Maryland in 1987.

His top horses include stakes winners Ez Dreamer, Hard Seven, Page Springs, and current stakes horses Red Zeus, Of Royalty, Az Ridge, and Smarty B.

“Nice Christmas gift,” said McFarlane, currently fourth in the trainer standings. “I’m thankful to the owners who helped me get here. Obviously, I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Enter Back returned $25 for the win.