Driver Jim Pantaleano's recent win milestone was recognized Thursday by his 'night employer,' Yonkers Raceway.
Pantaleano won his 5,000th career race last Saturday afternoon at Freehold Raceway. The figure is accompanied by more than $24 million in purses in career which began in 1981. His first victory came in 1985.
Pantaleano, a 47-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio made his name at Northfield Park before migrating east. He had identical 436-win seasons in 2002-03, each time ranking 11th in North America. Pantaleano has won 232 races this season, with his 127 Westchester victories ranking ninth locally in 2009.
He was joined by his wife, Christen, for the presentation.
It's prime season for significant wins among Yonkers' regulars. Earlier this month, Stephane Bouchard won his 7,000th career race. Next up is Jeff Gregory, who entered Thursday night needing eight wins to reach 6,000 for his career.
(Yonkers)