New Brunswick native Mike Stevenson reached a career milestone when he drove his own trainee Rojas Blue Chip to victory on Friday (April 15) at First Tracks Cumberland.
Stevenson, who drove his first winner in 1982, earned his 2,000th career victory in the afternoon's eighth race.
The 57-year-old horseman, who also has 294 training wins to his credit, put Rojas Blue Chip on the lead and fended off first-over attacker Whatchagonnadoboo and the pocket-pulling Kims Day to win by a head in 2:00.4. Pulling off a 10-1 upset, Rojas Blue Chip returned $22 to win. The five-year-old American Ideal mare is owned by David Del Pozzo.
“This accomplishment feels really good,” noted Stevenson. “I have always tried to stick to the basics and prepare my horses as I was taught by the great horsemen before me.”
Stevenson summed it up with three words, “Thankful, grateful and humble.”
While Stevenson celebrated 2,000 career wins, Zackary Gray earned his first ever victory as a trainer when State Of Terror won the afternoon's second race by 8-1/2 lengths in 1:59.2. Matthew Athearn drove the nine-year-old Western Terror gelding owned by Wil Dubois. The 21-year-old trainer made it to the winner's circle in just his fourth start.
Friday's featured $6,000 Open II Trot was won by Ron Cushing's Swan Fine Lady ($2.60) in a 12-1/4-length romp. A 1:58.4 winner, the four-year-old Swan For All mare was trailed by Little Macabee and Make It A Double back in second and third.
A pair of $4,000 Kickoff Late Closer Series divisions were won by Northview Punter N ($4.20) and Shesallfinn ($7.20).