John Mckee Pilots 2,000th Winner at Belterra Park
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coady Photography
John McKee
Multiple graded stakes winning jockey John McKee, who piloted Lawyer Ron in the 2006 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) among his three Derby mounts, rode his 2,000th winner May 2 at Belterra Park when he scored in the second race aboard Robert Alvin Reeves' Curious Ruth.
McKee, 37, tracked the pace three wide in the six-furlong claiming event before pulling clear by 1 3/4 lengths. The 8-year-old daughter of Langfuhr hit the wire in 1:13.43 over a fast track. McKee picked up a second win on Thursday's card in the eighth race after weather forced the seventh race, an allowance optional claiming event run at one mile and 70 yards, off the turf course. Liz and Rini Squyres' Mucho Macho Bets was up to win by a neck over a sealed track labeled wet fast. The 6-year-old Macho Uno gelding completed the race in 1:42.98.
Outside Ohio, McKee found success at Oaklawn Park and Churchill Downs in the early and mid-2000s. In December 2005, McKee began a six-race win streak aboard James Hines Jr.'s Lawyer Ron.The son of Langfur kicked off 2006 by winning the Risen Star Stakes (G3) at Louisiana Downs before taking the Southwest Stakes, Rebel Stakes (G3), and Arkansas Derby (G2) at Oaklawn Park. The pair finished 12th in the Kentucky Derby.
Another major Oaklawn score came aboard Grand Reward in the 2005 Oaklawn Handicap (G2).
At Churchill Downs, McKee piloted two Golden Rod Stakes (G2) winners in Lady Joanne (2006) and Be Gentle (2003), 2006 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) winner Greater Good, and 2003 Firecracker Breedres' Cup Handicap (G2) winner Tap the Admiral.