JOCKEY WINSTON THOMPSON HITS 3,000 WIN MILESTONE AT SUFFOLK DOWNS

EAST BOSTON, MA - Veteran New England jockey Winston Thompson recorded the 3,000th win of his career, guiding African Angel ($17.20) to victory in Monday's eighth race at Suffolk Downs.

Thompson has been a regular competitor at Suffolk Downs since bringing his tack to the United States from his native Jamaica in 1987, earning most outstanding jockey honors in New England in 2004, 2005 and 2008.

"To reach 3,000 means a lot, and it means a lot to do it at Suffolk Downs," said a jubilant Thompson. "All of the people here have helped me get here. I've been riding with them since 1987 and it is like one big family here."

Thompson, 45, captured his fourth Suffolk Downs riding title in five years in 2008 and stands in second place with 68 wins so far this year, 14 behind Orlando Bocachica.

“My body still feels good,” added Thompson. “I got on 14 horses this morning.”

One of the most memorable days of Thompson’s career is June 18, 2005, when he won six races on the Suffolk Downs program, including the $50,000 Old Ironsides Stakes aboard Miesque’s Approval, who would go on to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile and Eclipse Award for top turf male in 2006.

His biggest stakes victory came aboard locally-based 37-to-1 longshot King Roller in the $250,000 James B. Moseley Breeders’ Cup Handicap on the Massachusetts Handicap undercard on June 3, 2000.

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