Jockey Martin Grabs Career Win 4,000
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coady Photography
Other riders joined Eddie Martin Jr. in the Retama Park winner's circle Aug. 15 to celebrate his 4,000th victory
Veteran jockey Eddie Martin Jr. secured the 4,000th win of his career Aug. 15 when he guided Spinning Pegasus to victory in the ninth race at Retama Park.
Martin hustled Spinning Pegasus out of the gate in the 5 1/2-furlong allowance race to open a clear lead at the first call. Racing for trainer Karl Broberg's End Zone Athletics, Spinning Pegasus maintained that clear advantage into the stretch then had just enough to hold off 2-5 favorite Hardworkcleanlivin for a neck victory.
Martin entered the card two wins shy of the milestone win. He put himself in position for victory 4,000 by winning the sixth race aboard Yeowzer in an allowance-optional claiming race. Both of Martin's Wednesday winners are trained by Broberg.
Martin, 55, was born in New Orleans and has registered a number of big wins at his hometown track, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. He won the 2012 Louisiana Derby (G2) aboard 109-1 longshot Hero of Order and guided Real Cozzy to victory in the 2001 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2).
He won the 2008 San Clemente Handicap (G2) aboard Storm Mesa at Del Mar, the then grade 2 (currently grade 1) Darley Alcibiades Stakes aboard She Says It Bestat Keeneland, and in 2004 at Churchill Downs won both the Falls City Handicap (G2) on Halory Leigh and the Golden Rod Stakes (G2) on Runway Model. Also at Keeneland, aboard Victor Cooley, he won the 1997 Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes (G2).
Martin is the son of a horse owner and began exercising horses for his dad's trainer. He has won riding titles at Fair Grounds, Lone Star Park, Jefferson Downs, and Beulah Park. Through Wednesday, Martin has compiled a record of 4,000-4,066-3,815 and purse earnings of $76.1 million from 31,183 mounts.