Trainer Dennis Ward Saddles 1,000th Winner
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Dennis Ward, father of Kentucky-based trainer Wesley Ward, celebrated his 1,000th victory as a trainer Aug. 9, when Greely Is Back won the fifth race at Gulfstream Park.
The elder Ward is a former jockey who has been training since 1983. The 71-year-old native of Seattle started as a jockey at Longacres in Washington in 1962 and retired from riding in 1968, a week after his son was born.
Dennis Ward worked as a jockey's agent and valet before becoming a trainer. Wesley Ward, upon retiring from riding in 1989, served as his father's assistant before he went out on his own in 1991.
After saddling the 6-year-old gelding Greely Is Back to a half-length win in a claiming race going five furlongs on the turf, Dennis Ward came right back in the sixth to saddle Dreaming of J C, who won by three lengths. Both horses are owned by Ridenjac Racing.
Dennis Ward has amassed lifetime purse earnings of $9,863,039 through Aug. 9.