Trainer Howard Wolfendale Wins 1,000th Race

(from Laurel Park report)
Trainer Howard Wolfendale notched his 1,000th victory Monday at Laurel Park, the same oval where he won his first race in 1977.

The milestone triumph came with Warison ($4.40) in the second race.

The 48-year-old conditioner met the daughter of Suggest and jockey Eric Camacho back at the winners' enclosure after the 4-year old won the six-furlong test by an impressive 6 ¼ lengths in 1:11.36.

Wolfendale is known as a high percentage trainer who is especially adept off the claim. Warison was claimed earlier this year.

"It took awhile to get there but it finally came," said Wolfendale, who had been stuck on 999 wins since Feb. 2. "I didn't realize we were that close until we hit 999 and someone told me. I said 'Oh, no' and we were stuck on that number for three weeks."

Wolfendale was named outstanding trainer by the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association in 1989 and has consistently been one of the top trainers in the state ever since. He trains for his wife Tammy as well as owners Raymond Makarovich, Robert Kreis, Robert Gorsuch, Edward Turner and Robert Cole.