"I am sure glad it is all over," Norman told The Daily Racing Form. "When this colt made the lead, cold chills ran down my spine. This number 51 is for my dad." Norman began training in 1995 following the death of his father, longtime trainer Gene Norman. He now has a stable of 140, with 40 based at Oaklawn. Last year, Norman was the third leading trainer in North America in number of wins.
Trainer Cole Norman surpassed a 29-year-old Oaklawn Park record Saturday for most winners in a season.The old record of 50 by trainer David Vance in 1974 fell when the 34-year-old Norman saddled number fifty-one, Marie Troncone's Meckenized, in the first race on the card. Norman added another win when he sent out Gary and Mary West's Boogie On to take the second race. Jamie Theriot was aboard for both victories. Norman saddled the 1,000th winner of his career at Oaklawn on March 15.