Ardoin Reaches 5,000-Win Mark

Jockey Ronald Ardoin rode three winners in a row at Louisiana Downs on Sunday to become the 16th rider in North American racing history to reach that plateau. Active jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. ranks first on the all-time win list, with 8,956, followed by retired Bill Shoemaker's 8,833. Retired jockey Jacinto Vasquez ranks ahead of Ardoin with 5,231.

"Reaching 5,000 here at Louisiana Downs is special," said Ardoin, noting that he would like to move up to 15th on the list within the next 1 1/2 years.

Ardoin accomplished the feat when Heart of an Angel won the seventh race. With five mounts on the card, Ardoin finished third in the second race and then won races five through seven. With none of the jockey's mounts favored in their respective victories, Ardoin's personal Pick Three returned $120.60 for a $2 wager. In his final ride Sunday,
Ardoin was seventh in the eighth race.