Trainer Dean Pederson is going to inspire a new Daily Racing Form statistical category for trainers - first start in 2,000-plus days. Pederson sent Military Mandate out for a victory in an $8,000 claimer at Stockton last Thursday, the 8-year-old's first start since the summer of 2003.
Military Mandate ( ) won his debut as a 2-year-old on June 18, 2003, at Hollywood Park. He ran third in the Graduation Stakes and the Grade 2 Best Pal at Del Mar later that summer, but was injured after the Best Pal and didn't run again until last week.