Day rides 8,000th winner

Pat Day became only the third jockey in North American history to win 8,000 races when steering Camden Park to victory at Churchill Downs.

Many of his greatest successes have come there, including the 1992 Kentucky Derby on Lil E. Tee, and he is the winning most jockey in the Louisville track`s history.

'I`ve had a great amount of success here in Kentucky and have cultivated a great relationship with the fans. It`s extra special to do it here,' said Day, 47.

He admitted that Thursday`s achievement would take some time to sink in.

'It`ll be right up there with the other major events in my career but not unlike the other moments - my first victory, my Kentucky Derby, the inaugural Breeders` Cup Classic aboard Wild Again,' he said.

'Someday when I`ve slowed down and settled down and I`m sitting in my rocking chair reflecting on my life, I`ll really enjoy them.'

It was Day`s fourth mount of the afternoon after he had finished out of the money in the first race before coming in third and second, respectively, in the next two.

A wave of applause and cheers from the Churchill Downs crowd of 7,905 followed Day as he jogged past the track`s clubhouse aboard Camden Park after the race and, upon reaching the winner`s circle, he was greeted by a warm embrace from the colt`s trainer, long-time friend Elliott Walden.

Other members of the Churchill Downs jockey colony joined Day in the winner`s circle to commemorate the latest milestone for a jockey who was elected to racing`s Hall of Fame 10 years ago.

Ahead of Day on the all-time list is Laffit Pincay, with 9,152 wins, and Bill Shoemaker, who ended his career with 8,833 triumphs.

When asked if he would try to catch those two, Day said he was uncertain.

'At some point in time, God is going to call me into a different arena,' said the highly spiritual rider. 'I don`t know when that will be.'

Day`s first winner was on Forblunged on July 29th, 1973 at Arizona`s Prescott Downs.

Since then, his mounts have accounted for more than 241 million dollars in winnings.

Shortly after his win aboard Camden Park, Day and Walden joined forces to scored career victory number 8,001 aboard Elite Mercedes in the eighth race.