Stidham Wins His 2,000th Race With Lem Me Tel Ya

Trainer Michael Stidham achieved a career milestone in dramatic fashion on the Nov. 27 opening-day card at Tampa Bay Downs, earning his 2,000th victory with 4-year-old colt Lem Me Tel Ya in the eighth race.

After taking the lead in the stretch of the 6 1/2-furlong claiming event under jockey Pablo Morales, Lem Me Tel Ya held off a charging Malio's to win by a neck. Lem Me Tel Ya is owned by Stidham's Tampa Bay Downs assistant Ben Trask, who claimed the 4-year-old colt from his previous start at Monmouth Park in October for $6,250.

"It's great to get to 2,000," Stidham said via text message from New Orleans, where he is based with his Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots string of horses. "I've had a lot of great support all the way from solid clients."

Trask was grateful to be part of Stidham's celebration.

"I've been with him for almost four years, and 2,000 wins is a great accomplishment for anyone," Trask said. "He has been in the game a long time and surely deserves it."

Stidham, who began training in 1979, has trained grade 1 winners Zipessa, Two Altazano, Sutra, Her Emmynency, His horses have earned more than $3-million in purses in six consecutive years and nine of the last 10.