Driver Sam Widger piloted Shady Caroline to victory in the co-featured event of the evening, a $21,000 Invitational Pace at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Saturday, May 5. The 1:51 victory marked the second consecutive Hoosier Park victory for Shady Caroline and a career milestone for the 54-year-old reinsman, as he collected his 6,000th win.

Widger entered the program just four wins shy of the milestone and he got to work quickly, taking the first race of the evening behind Always A Z Tam for trainer Walter Haynes Jr. Widger teamed up with the Haynes stable for another winner on the program a little later in the evening as Martz Time was home a winner in gate-to-wire fashion in 1:55.1. Widger’s other victory on the program was behind Au D Lox Bluegrass for trainer Jeff Cullipher.

Hoosier Park’s Vice President and General Manager, Rick Moore, along with Widger’s friends, were in the winner’s circle to congratulate and acknowledge his accomplishment.

“On behalf of Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, I’d like to congratulate Sam on win number 6,000,” Moore said. “That is quite the accomplishment. We couldn’t be more proud to have Sam as part of the Hoosier Park driving colony and he is a great ambassador for the sport. We wish Sam continued success for the remainder of this season and throughout his career. We look forward to watching him win many more races at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.”

Now in his 32nd season as a driver, Widger recorded his best season to date in 2017 with purse earnings surpassing the $3.5-million mark. The veteran reinsman has gone over the $3-million mark in purse earnings four times in the last eight years and has finished among the top ten drivers at Hoosier Park every season he has competed. Widger also received a spot in the Hoosier Park history books when he guided Bolt The Duer to victory in the 2013 installment of Hoosier Park’s most prestigious race, the $250,000 Dan Patch Invitational. Widger also recorded his 5,000th driving win at Hoosier Park in 2014.

Widger is currently third on the 2018 leading driver standings at Hoosier Park with 38 trips to the winner’s circle and over $350,000 in purse earnings. Trace Tetrick leads all drivers with 68 victories while John DeLong is just behind him in second with 47 wins.

(With files from Hoosier Park)