Jubilant Jose Velez Jr. Wins 3,000th Race

(from Monmouth Park report)
Jockey Jose Velez Jr. recorded his 3,000th career win at Monmouth Park Thursday when he guided Careless Glances to a 2 ½-length win in the eighth race for trainer John Tammaro and John Bower's Roseland Farm Stables.

"This is just great," said a jubilant Velez following the milestone. "I'm just so glad I got to win my 3,000th with John Tammaro and Mr. Bowers, who's been very kind to me. I ride in Jersey and it's even more exciting to win it with Jersey guys. This is really unbelievable."

A native of Santurce, Puerto Rico, Velez began riding in 1980 at Atlantic City Race Course. He won his first race later that year at the Meadowlands. He was the leading rider at Gulfstream Park in 1982 and Calder in 1983 and 1985. In 1997 he was inducted into the Calder Racecourse Hall of Fame.

His biggest win came in 2003 when he won the United Nations (gr. IT) at Monmouth aboard Balto Star.