Trainer Kathleen O'Connell Notches 2,000th Win
Image:
Description:
Photo: Jim Lisa Photos
O'Connell
Trainer Kathleen O'Connell secured the 2,000th win of her career Sept. 12 at Delaware Park.
The milestone win came in the sixth race Wednesday, when Charlie Runion's Wishful Quality won her debut by a head in a $34,000 maiden special weight race at six furlongs on the main track. The 2-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Exclusive Quality was ridden by Hector Rafael Diaz Jr. and returned $53.80 as the second longest shot in the field of six.
O'Connell posted her first victory with Kim's Lucky Spot at Detroit Racecourse in 1981. Notable horses conditioned by the Michigan native include Blazing Sword, winner of the grade 3 Calder Derby in 1997 and the grade 2 Washington Park Handicap at Arlington International Racecourse in 2000; Watch Me Go, winner of the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) in 2011; Lady Shipman, second in the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Keeneland in 2015; and Stormy Embrace, winner of the grade 2 Princess Rooney Stakes at Gulfstream Park June 30.