Patrick Husbands Captures 2000th Win

It was another big Woodbine weekend for top jock Patrick Husbands who captured his 2000th career win on Sunday aboard Grazettes Landing. Born in Barbados, the prolific Husbands is a six-time Sovereign Award winner and five-time leading rider at Woodbine. With 132 wins in the 2009 campaign, Husbands is well on his way to a sixth title.

Husbands surges to the lead for his 2000th win aboard Grazettes Landing


Appropriately, Husbands would win his 2000th race aboard a Mark Casse trained horse. "It's a great honor," said Husbands. "I've won about 600 (races) and change for Mark Casse. He's made me who I am today. I give him all the credit."

Friends and connections gathered for a post-race photo


A gracious Husbands went on to thank his agent, Gary Kemplen, and several local trainers including Kathy Patton-Casse, Tom Patton, Sr. and Reade Baker. "One of the first guys who really gave me an opening at Woodbine was Reade Baker," said Husbands. "He was one of the first big outfits that gave me the break."

Husbands named 2003 Canadian Triple Crown winner Wando and 2001 Woodbine Mile winner Numerous Times as his favourites amongst the 2000 winners in his illustrious career thus far. At 36 years of age, Husbands is showing no signs of slowing down. That list of favourite horses has plenty of time to grow. Congratulations, Patrick!

The up-to-date jockey standings:
Name Starts 1st 2nd 3rd Earnings
Patrick Husbands 705 132 122 110 $8,088,746
Chantal Sutherland 697 96 103 105 $5,513,604
James McAleney 466 90 59 65 $4,685,050
Emile Ramsammy 604 89 72 63 $3,935,965
Eurico Rosa Da Silva 535 84 88 61 $5,498,415
Tyler Pizarro 544 80 86 70 $4,300,223
Emma-Jayne Wilson 661 77 95 86 $4,448,655
Todd Kabel 355 53 37 36 $2,796,722
Luis Contreras 261 52 41 33 $2,230,037
Justin Stein 492 43 60 41 $2,119,893

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Earlier in the card, Husbands and Casse combined to defeat a pair of shippers and the favoured Ice Bear to win the G3 Durham Cup. It's not often Woodbine patrons see the hot jock/trainer combo slip away at 11-1 but those that persevered were well rewarded with a $25.30 Win payout.

Husbands and Pool Play walked out of the gate in this mile and an eighth test and raced from last position well behind the leaders early. Tiz Late, shipped in from Presque Isle Downs, set the pace under jockey Willie Martinez hitting fractions of 24.37, 48.64 and 1:12.64. Arlington Park's E.T Baird and Gran Estrano stalked Tiz Late along with Woodbine-based Alezzandro but both faltered approaching the top of the stretch.

With the pace quickening, Chantal Sutherland went to work on Ice Bear and quickly caught the leaders only to be swooped at the 1/8th pole by a late charging Pool Play who stopped the clock in 1:49.24. The final time was just a fifth of a second off the track record. Ice Bear would hold for second with Palladio nipping a fading Tiz Late for show.

Photos from a cold and gloomy Durham Cup day at Woodbine

Husbands was focused aboard Pool Play


Gran Estrano and E.T Baird shipped in from Arlington Park. Check out the San Diego Chargers silks!


Eurico Rosa da Silva was hoping to catch some luck with Catch The Luck


Willie Martinez and Tiz Late shipped in from Presque Isle Downs


Alezzandro and Todd Kabel prepare to do battle


Chief was one of two "Bears" in this race


Chantal Sutherland absolutely beaming aboard Ice Bear. Surprisingly, this is the second best smile of the day.


Richard Dos Ramos and Palladio face the camera


Husbands splashes to win #1999 aboard 11-1 shot Pool Play


Smile of the day goes to the groom of Honey'n Roses


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In other Woodbine related news, Rob Landry steered super filly Careless Jewel to victory in the Cotillion at Philadelphia Park on Saturday setting her up for a run in the Ladies Classic on Breeders' Cup Friday.

Rob Landry back at Woodbine aboard a frisky Tigra Mara on Sunday


Careless Jewel broke sharply from her inside post and went right to the front speeding through quick fractions of 22.93, :45.72, and 1:09.34 going on to win by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:41.40. Bon Jovi Girl rocked from the back of the pack to finish second over 59-1 shot Key Lime Baby.

You can watch video of the race courtesy of this Bloodhorse Report.

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Updates on Canadian International news and photos from United Way Day at Woodbine will be posted later this week.