Southwest trainer Karl Broberg earned the 1,000th win of his career the night of May 3 at Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel when Heitai captured the $60,000 Need for Speed Stakes on turf (VIDEO).
Heitai ($2.60) coming off a disappointing last-place finish in the Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (gr. III) April 10 at Oaklawn Park, bounced back with a popular one-length victory at odds of 3-10.
Sent right to the lead by regular jockey Diego Saenz, the Louisiana-bred 4-year-old gelding by 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus displayed his extreme high speed. He ran an opening quarter-mile in :21.03 and :43.84 for the half-mile to take a two-length advantage, on his way covering the five furlongs on the firm grass course in an excellent :55.74.
Broberg, a 43-year-old native of Arlington, Texas, has been training since the late 2009. He won a career-best 243 races in 2013, which ranked second in the nation. He also ranked fourth nationally in wins in 2012 with 223, and fifth in 2011 with 242.
The win was Heitai's fourth from five starts this year. Overall, the homebred for Barbara and Frank Rowell (Rowell Enterprises) has amassed earnings of $439,943 while winning eight of 19 starts.