West Point Wins 1,000th Race

Terry Finley, the president and CEO of West Point Thoroughbreds, was doing some calculations Aug. 20 in anticipation of what would be a milestone event for his organization Aug. 21.

Representatives and family members of West Point gathered in the winner's circle at Saratoga Race Course following the second race. Phantom Smoke , a 4-year-old son of Ghostzapper  , was having his picture taken after winning the 5 1/2-furlong race on the Mellon turf course.

And so were the West Pointers, who were celebrating their 1,000th career win.

"It's a good number," Finley said. "When I was doing my calculating, it's like every 11 days for the last 31 years, on average, we have had the honor of standing in the winner's circle."

Phantom Smoke, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. and trained by Christophe Clement, broke through the front of the gate prior to the start of the race and was brought back and reloaded. He didn't seem to mind the distraction as he took the field gate to wire as the 7-5 favorite.

West Point owns Phantom Smoke in partnership with New Phoenix Stable, Steven Rocco, and Daniel Burke.

"We're going to keep going," Finley said. "We ain't stopping."

Finley remembers West Point win No. 1 like it was yesterday. He doesn't have the exact date, but it was August, 1991. The horse's name was Sunbelt and he won at Philadelphia Park (now Parx Racing).

"I was still in the Army and I was on temporary duty on the West Coast," Finley said. "The race was a $5,000 claimer. It's crazy when you think about it. But when you really do think about it, this business and the horses give us all so much. I am the luckiest guy in the world to be in this sport and enjoying the hell out of getting up every morning."

West Point, which has approximately 600 partners, has 122 horses in training around the country.