Driver Steve Smith reached the 3,000 career win milestone on Thursday afternoon aboard his own trotting filly, Kristins Victory, in the third race at Freehold Raceway
.
Smith sent the two-year-old daughter of Cash Hall first up from fourth near the third quarter mark and wore down the popular pacesetter, South Bay, to win in 2:01.1. Pocket-sitter Market Rebound finished one and half lengths back in second while South Bay faded to third.
The win was the fourth lifetime for the Karen Garland trainee, who has yet to finish out of the money in 10 lifetime starts while banking over $80,000.
For Smith, the win was his 123rd of the year. The 50-year-old Freehold, New Jersey resident, who began driving in 1985, had a career best 266 wins in 2007.
(With files from Freehold Raceway)