Jason Thompson scored the 1,000th win of his driving career while driving Miss Riley in the Monday evening's opening dash at Northfield Park.

They returned $14.60 to win after sitting the pocket and using a stretch kick to win, stopping the clock at 1:57. The time represents a new lifetime mark for the five-year-old trotting mare.

Thompson became interested in racing at an early age. He often rode with his grandfather John Dyer to various tracks to watch harness racing. Jason’s first job in the industry was cleaning stalls for Sophie Zubkoff (Twaddle).

Jason drove his first race in 1996 and finished seventh at the Paulding County Fair behind Pleasant Jerry in a $2,000 claiming race. The 36-year-old Thompson remembers his first win as being aboard Mr Morris in 1997 at the Van Wert County Fair in a $1,000 overnight event.

Mike Wolfe was the largest mentor to Thompson when he began driving regularly.

“Mike gave me a lot of good advice and pointers,” said Thompson. “He helped me and taught me a lot.”

Thompson credits the best horse he has ever driven as being Midnight Jewel. His fastest win was aboard Tug River Claude at Colonial Downs in 1:51.2. To date, Jason Thompson has not only won 1,000 races but has earned purses totaling over $3.5 million.

In addition to driving on a nightly basis, Thompson trains a stable of three horses with his long-time girlfriend Kerry Merriman.

(Northfield Park)