Jockey Paco Lopez scored his 1,000th career win when he rode Whitey's Gold to victory for trainer Bobby DiBona in the second race at Monmouth Park Aug. 17 (VIDEO).
"It is really exciting," said Lopez, 26, a Veracruz, Mexico native. "I've been riding for five years and am so happy to have this accomplishment. I hope to keep winning more races while getting to do what I love."
Lopez won his first race at Calder Casino & Race Course on July 13, 2007, and went on to become that track's leading rider at its summer meet that year. He won the leading rider title at The Meadowlands in 2009 and was leading jockey at Gulfstream Park and Monmouth Park in 2010.
The rider currently ranks second in the standings at Monmouth and has won 110 races overall in 2012. His six stakes wins at Monmouth with 22 days remaining in the meet equal his stakes total at the New Jersey track last year.