Jockey Travis Dunkelberger reached the 3,000-win plateau when he guided Casey Doon, his only mount on the card, to victory in the eighth race at Laurel Park Nov. 28. The 30-year-old became the 140th rider to reach the milestone, according to Equibase.
Casey Doon raced to the lead in the six-furlong optional allowance test and coasted home to win by a length for trainer Benny Feliciano. The son of In Case paid $8 to win.
“I never really thought about milestones,” said Dunkelberger, who ranked in the top five nationally in wins in 2000 and 2001. “I just try to go out and ride horse to horse and not worry about numbers. I have ridden a lot of nice horses for many good trainers."
Dunkelberger began riding in 1994 and won his first stakes the following year. He captured his first graded stakes win June 17, 2000, by guiding Leave it to Beezer to victory in the Baltimore Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. III) at Pimlico Race Course.
Dunkelberger, who won the 2001 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (gr. II) when he guided 17-1 shot Prized Stamp to an upset victory for Dale Capuano, has ridden seven winners in one day twice, at Charles Town Races & Slots and Timonium.
