Milestone Win for Finger Lakes-Based Jockey Davila Jr.
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Photo: SV Photography
Jockey John Davila Jr. celebrates a 4,000th career victory in the Finger Lakes winner's circle Oct. 29
Jockey John Davila Jr. secured the 4,000th victory of his career Oct. 29 when he guided Pretty Wild Posie to victory in the first race at Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack.
Davila began riding at Finger Lakes in 1983. He has earned 3,953 of his 4,000 wins at the track, including 57 stakes victories. He added a graded stakes triumph to his resume in 1995 when he won the $100,000 Finger Lakes Budweiser Breeders' Cup aboard Not Surprising.
The 54-year-old from Puerto Rico is the first Finger Lakes-based rider to register 4,000 wins. He passed Leslie Hulet in 2017 to become the track's all-time leading jockey.
"I didn't think I'd win 100 races in my life," said Davila. "Now look at this, here I am with 4,000."
Davila has been the main rider for trainer Chris Englehart. He has a total of 1,901 victories aboard horses from the barn of the track's all-time leading trainer.
"He's a good rider and has always been consistent for me," said Englehart. "It's worked out very well."
Davila also holds a record 14 Finger Lakes jockey titles. He is currently second in the 2018 local standings with 110 victories.