Jockey Alex Birzer collected the 2,000th victory of his career when he guided Watomgo to a neck victory in the seventh race at Prairie Meadows on the night of June 4.
Watomgo, a 4-year-old gelding by Blumin Affair trained by Lynn Chleborad, prevailed in a stretch duel with Seal of the Pearl to hand Birzer his milestone win in a $12,500 claiming race at one mile.
Birzer, 36, won two races on the Prairie Meadows program to become the 330th rider in Thoroughbred racing to win 2,000 races.
“It’s just unreal,” Birzer told the Des Moines Register. “I think of all the hard work that’s gone into it and all the people that have been behind us through all the years.


“Coming up to it, I kept telling myself, ‘Nah, it ain’t that big of a deal.’ It’s just another number. But now, once I’ve gotten there, it’s big.”
Brizer was born in Hatchinson, Kans. and lives in Council Grove, Kans., with his wife, Bonnie, and three children. He races on a circuit that includes Oaklawn Park, Prairie Meadows and Remington Park.
Among the top horses he has ridden is Patton's Victory, who captured the 2003 Fifth Season Stakes at Oaklawn.