Trainer Jim Fergason, based at Portland Meadows for more than four decades, registered his 1,000th victory Jan. 18 when Mo’s Flashy Date won the seventh race.
“I’m happy I got this win here,” said Fergason. “Probably 900 of those wins came right here so I’m really happy about that.”
Fergason has called Portland Meadows home since 1969 when he won his first race. Fergason has won six training titles at the track and has had success shipping to tracks such as Emerald Downs and Assiniboia Downs during the summer months. Fergason has won many stakes events at Portland Meadows including the OTOBA Futurity with Wisco Cat. He also took the $40,000 Auburn Handicap in 2004 with Crimson Design.
Favored Mo’s Flashy Date, ridden by Mark Anderson, took command of the $2,500 claiming race at 5 1/2 furlongs at the top of the stretch and held off his challengers to win by one length. Mo’s Flashy Date, a 4-year-old chestnut gelding by Nacheezmo out of Crimson Date, by Encino, is owned and bred by Marvin Pietila.