Journeyman Horacio Karamanos, a perennial leading rider in Maryland since his arrival in 2002, celebrated Father's Day in style, winning the third race June 18 at Laurel Park for his 2,000th career victory.
JMJ Racing Stables' homebred Liquid Aloha was given a clear run by Karamanos, launching their bid after straightening for home to hold off late-running Iggy Loco to take the $28,000 starter optional claiming race for 3-year-olds and up by a head.
Liquid Aloha, a 4-year-old Smart Strike colt, ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.19 over the firm turf. It was the second mount of the day for Karamanos and 11th since earning win 1,999 June 16 at Laurel aboard Adam Staple's Top Prospect.
"I was not nervous but I am excited to make it," said Karamanos, who posed for a winner's circle presentation with his wife, Veronica, and 18-year-old daughter, Milagros. "I feel inspired because everyone was saying, 'C'mon, 1,999,' so I had to do it. I made it and I'm happy because 2,000 races—it's hard to get that.
"Someday my daughter is going to be a mother and she can say, 'Look at what your granddaddy did,'" he added. "You show them the picture because the picture is going to be forever. I wanted my family to stay with me in this moment. I feel happy for them, very emotional. Laurel is my home."
A native of Argentina who turns 44 June 28, Karamanos was one of the top riders in his native country with more than 1,500 wins before moving to South Florida in 2000. He earned his first domestic victory at the former Calder Race Course and captured his first riding title at Colonial Downs in 2002. He was the leading rider six times there, including three straight years (2007-09).
In Maryland Karamanos owns five individual riding titles, most recently sharing the Preakness Meet at Pimlico Race Course crown with Feargal Lynch and Kevin Gomez. Represented by agent and ex-rider Frank Douglas, he also led the standings at Pimlico's 2003 summer-fall and 2010 spring meets as well as Laurel's 2002 summer and 2007 fall stands.
Karamanos had single-season highs of 237 wins and nearly $5.1 million in purse earnings in 2002, and career bankroll has topped $50 million.
Top mounts for Karamanos include graded winners Page McKenney, London Lane, Red Giant, Bending Strings, and Secret River, and stakes winner Action Andy.
On Oct. 26, 2002 he tied a Laurel Park record by riding seven winners on a single card.
"I win a lot of stakes and a lot of titles, but one of my favorite races was when (Action Andy) won the (Frank) De Francis (Memorial Dash Stakes)," he said of the Carlos Garcia-trained and Robert Gerczak-owned gelding. "Carlos is like my daddy and I love him so much, and Bob the owner is a good friend to me and Carlos, so we had a nice connection. Page McKenney is in my heart. That horse has won many, many races and he's one of my favorites."