A Rizzi Reuben, a 4-year-old Florida-bred son of Rizzi trained by Danny Hurtak, was best by a length at the wire.

Chavez, 43, a native of Callao, Peru, had guided Peter Vegso's Snug Harbour to victory in the second race of the afternoon.

"I was trying to make the lead as quickly as I could, but I was a little slow and had a hard time getting to the front," Chavez said in the winner's circle after reaching the milestone. "I didn't believe there would be that much pressure, but the last few days I started getting worried. Now there is no more pressure. I expect to win my 5,000th in three or four years – maybe five."

Chavez, the nation's Eclipse Award-winning rider in 1999, becomes the 18th active jockey to ride at least 4,000 winners. A total of 42 riders, including those now retired or deceased, have accomplished the feat.

The highlight of Chavez's career to date was a victory aboard John C. Oxley's Monarchos   in the 2001 Kentucky Derby (gr. I).