Driver Luke Ebersole earned his 1,000th career driving win on Sunday, Sept. 14 at MGM Northfield Park.

On Sunday evening, Ebersole reached the milestone with a winning drive in rein to Ticks A Yankin in the seventh race, a $7,200 conditioned pace.

With Ticks A Yankin starting from the trailing tier, Ebersole followed his brother Logan off the wings as the even-money favourite Roc Vodka defended pylon position. Entering the backstretch, Ticks A Yankin was sent to the outside and challenged Roc Vodka for the lead with the pair arriving at the quarter in :28.

Ticks A Yankin worked past Roc Vodka into the far turn for the first time, as Blue Ocean (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) began to apply pressure first-over. Arriving at the half in a testing :56.1, Ebersole continued to step on the gas with Ticks A Yankin.

The Ebersole brothers began to edge away from the field at the three-quarters in 1:24.1 and the stage was set for a family showdown.

Turning for home, Ticks A Yankin was confidently driven to the wire and gave Ebersole his 1,000th career win as the pair won by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:53. Roc Vodka fought gamely, but had to settle for second.

“I couldn’t be happier, this is such a great milestone,” said a jubilant Ebersole following the victory.

Ebersole earned his first win on Aug. 29, 2007, at the Mt. Gilead, Ohio fair, driving Eagle Sam to victory for his father Jeff. He is currently in the midst of his fourth straight seven-figure season after posting a career-high 173 wins in 2024 during his first $2 million campaign.

Ticks A Yankin paid $4.20 to win as the second choice on the tote board. The eight-year-old son of Big Bad John-Yankees Glowing is owned by trained Mark Headworth along with River Roubaix and Michael Hale. 

(With files from Northfield Park)