After missing a
chance to be represented by the 1,000th victory of his training
career in North America when My Meadowview Farm’s 2-year-old Forever Noble
finished second by a nose in the fourth race Thursday at Calder Casino
& Race Course, the former champion jockey and veteran horseman could get it
done in the fourth race Friday afternoon at Calder.
Ward went into
Thursday’s action with 998 wins as a trainer and posted number 999 when Ken and
Sarah Ramsey’s 4-year-old stakes runner Pleasant Prince ran by 3-to-5 favorite
Rail Trip to capture the $60,000 Pot O’ Luck Stakes at Belmont Park only
minutes after Forever Noble’s tough beat at Calder.
The notable 1,000th
win for Ward could come when he sends out his 4-year-old gelding Mississippi
Hippie in a $16,000 claiming test carded for five furlongs on turf at Calder on
Friday. The son of Dance Master will be making his first start since winning
for a $12,500 claiming price and no takers at Woodbine last out on June 26,
2010.
Ward’s 999 wins does
not include the several races he has won the last two seasons in England and
France.