Trainer Larry D. Ross sent out his 1,000th winner Aug. 30 when Just Like Uptown romped to a 6 3/4-length triumph the fifth race at Emerald Downs.
K and W Stable's Just Like Uptown, a 4-year-old Matty G gelding, was guided to victory in the one-mile maiden claiming race by Leslie Mawing.
Ross took out his trainer's license in 1978 and recently enjoyed a second victory in the track's signature race, the $200,000 Longacres Mile (gr. III), with Stryker Phd Aug. 24. He won the race for the first time 29 years ago with Chum Salmon, a recent inductee into the Washington Racing Hall of Fame.
In addition to his milestone winner, Ross has trained 1,044 second-place finishers and 914 third-place finishers. His 6,889 starters have amassed purse earnings of $15,326,787 through Aug. 30.
An Emerald Downs mainstay, Ross ranks in the top 10 among trainers at the track's current meet, with a 10-10-8 record from 55 starters and purse earnings of $219,652.
Ross and his wife, Sharon, who also is a trainer, own a farm in Auburn, Wash.
