On Monday afternoon at Monticello Raceway, driver Jim Taggart Jr. won his 4,000th career race.

The win came in the seventh race on the card aboard Classic Can Dream. The If I Can Dream mare won in 1:58:3 for trainer Gary Messenger and owner Kenneth Weckstein.

The Monticello born-and-raised Taggart started his career in the backstretch of the Mighty M and started driving here in 1988. His career earnings are now in excess of $19 million.

He was surrounded in the winner's circle by family members and fellow horseman and well-wishers.

(with files from Monticello; photo courtesy Geri Schwartz)