(from Golden Gate Fields)
Steve Miyadi recorded his 1,000th training victory Jan. 2 when his 3-year-old filly Shesgoinghollywood won the first race at Golden Gate Fields.
Miyadi, 52, saddled his first winner in 1987 at Del Mar and has been among the leading trainers in Northern California for several years.
"I'm very thankful," said Miyadi following his milestone victory. "I'm thankful to all the bettors and all the owners because without them we have nothing."
Shesgoinghollywood rallied from just off the pace to win a 1 1/16-mile starter allowance race by 2 1/4 lengths under jockey Russell Baze, whom Miyadi has employed often over the years. Shesgoinghollywood was the 8-5 favorite and paid $5.20.
Miyadi enjoyed his biggest year in 2008 when he won 167 races and finished tied for 12th in the nation in victories. Miyadi saddled 102 winners in 2009 to finish tied for 44th in the national standings.
The trainer recorded a win percentage of better than 30% in four consecutive years (33.3 in 2003, 37.6 in 2004, 31.5 in 2005, and 32.9 in 2006). His most prolific meeting was the 2004-2005 winter session at Golden Gate Fields when he scored with 22 of his 52 starters for an amazing win rate of 42.3%.
Miyadi has trained many stakes-winners, including Drag Race, who captured the Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) in 1989, and Music Prospector, who won the Santa Catalina Stakes (gr. II) in 1990 and finished fourth in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I). His roster of stakes-winners also includes Somethinaboutlaura, Bellsblade, Squallcreek, Eleanor Rose, First Draft and Lunachick.
Miyadi cited Drag Race and Music Prospector as two of his favorite runners but was also quick to mention the horse that gave him his first win.
"Wachira," he said. "It was at Del Mar and Laffit (Pincay, Jr.) was up."