Trainer Miguel Feliciano scored his 1,000th career victory in 7,316 starts in Thistledown's first race June 19 with Formal Pass. Jockey Ernesto Oro was aboard for the milestone win."It's nice to win--I've been working real hard," said Feliciano. "Now I'm on to the next 1,000." Feliciano's nephew, Ricardo, usually rides first call for him, but that day, he was aboard Regina's Mon, who finished second. "I had no pressure in this race," said Ricardo. "I'm happy for him. I'm glad he got the win today."
At 60, Feliciano is a top Ohio-based trainer at Thistledown and conditions multiple stakes winners. The former factory worker entered the racing business in the early 1980s at the urging of his brother, Benny, who was a top rider at the time. Working as an assistant to Bobby Guciardo for 12 years, Feliciano took over the trainer's stable after he died.Feliciano saddled his first winner, Abbasid, in October 1983 at Thistledown. He has since acquired six Thistledown meet titles, was the track's leading trainer for two years, and has recorded six Best of Ohio victories. Spending his winters training at Tampa Bay Downs,
Feliciano conditions the runners of Dr. Daniel Frazier of Pyrite Stables, a leading owner in Ohio.