Sam Widger notched the 5,000th win of his career after he piloted Brooklyns Z Tam to victory in a condition pace at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on Wednesday, June 11.
The 1:56.2 victory marked a lifetime-best performance for the four-year-old daughter of Electric Yankee-Slick Fit and a career milestone for the 50-year-old reinsman.
Trained by Mike Murphy, Brooklyns Z Tam was able to take advantage of a perfect second-over trip to record the first win of her four-year-old campaign. Owned by Connie Blakeman, Brooklyns Z Tam now sports a career bankroll of $24,870.
Hoosier Park’s Vice President and General Manager, Rick Moore, along with Widger’s friends and fellow drivers were in the winner’s circle to congratulate and acknowledge his accomplishment.
“On behalf of Hoosier Park Racing & Casino, I’d like to congratulate Sam on win number 5,000,” Moore noted. “Through his professionalism and attitude, Sam is a great ambassador for our sport. We wish Sam continued success for the remainder of this season and throughout his career. We look forward to watching him win many more races at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino.”
Now in his 28th season as a driver, Widger completed his ninth season with purse earnings surpassing the $2.5 million mark in 2013. The veteran reinsman has gone over the $3 million mark in purse earnings four times in the last eight years and has finished among the top 10 drivers at Hoosier Park every season he has competed. Widger also received a spot in the Hoosier Park history books when he guided Bolt The Duer to victory in the 2013 installment of Hoosier Park’s most prestigious race, the $250,000 Dan Patch Invitational.
Widger, who has a farm in Beecher, Illinois that he shares with his wife, Nancy, and his five children, loves to hunt, fish and also enjoys helping out on the family farm in his spare time. Widger remains humble when considering his career and accredits much of his success to hard work, determination and perseverance.
“God willing, trainers willing, and owners willing, we’ll just keep on going,” Widger said after his win. “I count my blessings every day, not only with the harness racing, but with family as well. I’m as rich as anybody could be when it comes to family.”
Widger is currently third on the 2014 leading driver standings at Hoosier Park with 65 trips to the winner’s circle and over $640,000 in purse earnings. Trace Tetrick leads all drivers with 97 victories while Tyler Smith is just behind him in second with 92 wins.
Live racing at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will continue on Thursday, June 12 at 5:15 p.m. with a 14-race card highlighted by the $17,500 Fillies and Mares Preferred Trot.
(Hoosier Park)