Trainer Jones Captures 1,000th Victory

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Photo: Tom LaMarra
Larry Jones reacts to his 1,000th win.

Trainer Larry Jones, who won his first race at Ellis Park in his native Kentucky, bagged his 1,000th win at Turfway Park in Kentucky April 2.

Jones reached the milestone in the $100,000 Rushaway Stakes for 3-year-olds with He'll Pay for longtime client Brereton Jones of Airdrie Stud. Bred by Jones and WinStar Farm, the Haynesfield   colt entered the Rushaway off of a maiden victory at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in his seventh try.

He'll Pay, ridden by Mitchell Murrill, had to survive a claim a foul in a race in which strong winds were a factor. Then rain began to fall, which forced the trophy presentation to the paddock area.

"It's great," Jones said of the win. "I thank all of my owners, but you can't (win No. 1,000) for better people. We've been at this a long time. We're family."

Jones has won the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) for Brereton Jones with Lovely Maria, Believe You Can, and Proud Spell.

"It has been a 32-year overnight success," the trainer joked.

Jones credited Murrill for getting He'll Pay home on top from post 11.

"Mitchell did a heck of a job to give the horse the best opportunity," he said. "He was a lot wider than we wanted but he kept easing him down toward the inside. It was the winning move, and he had to withstand a violent wind and shake."

Jones isn't sure where the colt will resurface. "We just want to enjoy this one," he said.