(edited press release)
Trainer Frank Lucarelli recorded the 1,000th victory of his career when Premier Diablo rallied from last to win the first race Feb. 8 at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, Calif.
Ridden by Leslie Mawing, Premier Diablo paid $10.
Lucarelli, based at Emerald Downs most of the year, enjoyed a hot weekend that began Feb. 6 with Jimmy Da Brick's $37.60 upset in the sixth race at Santa Anita.
"This was good," Lucarelli said of reaching the milestone. "I've been training a while now, and it's always nice when you get something like this."
Lucarelli, 51, a former minor league pitcher, has won two training titles and ranks second all-time with 541 wins at Emerald Downs. He currently has divisions at Golden Gate and Emerald Downs, and said he planned to return to his Washington home this week to supervise his string of 30 preparing for the upcoming meet at Emerald.
Gallant Son, the star of Lucarelli's stable, worked five furlongs in 1:01 Feb. 7 at Golden Gate and will run next week at Santa Anita. Lucarelli said the 2008 Gottstein Futurity winner would be entered in the $150,000 San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs Feb. 16.
Lucarelli took out his trainer's license in 1979 after being released from Bakersfield (Class A California League).
"I love it," said Lucarelli of the training profession. "I love the business. I don't ever see myself retiring. I may back off a little at some time but I don't see myself not getting up and going to the track."