NEWS
Ouzts wins 4,000th race
Posted: Thursday, May 31, 2001
Perry Ouzts became the 40th jockey in history to ride at least 4,000 winners when he guided owner-trainer John Wolfe's Lil Pike to a 4½-length victory in the eighth race at River Downs on Thursday. The eight-year-old Piker mare led at every call in the $4,000 claiming race before completing the 4½ furlongs in :54.20.
Ouzts, a 46-year-old native of Riverdale, Arkansas, began his career at River Downs when he was 18. He learned some of his riding skills while growing up with his cousin, Earlie Fires, who will be inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame later this year. A regular on the Ohio circuit, Ouzts has won numerous titles at River Downs and Beulah Park. His mounts have earned more than $21-million.
"I feel like I've got a 4,000-pound monkey off my back," Ouzts said. "I'm looking forward to winning 5,000 before I quit and maybe more."
The race was marred by a two-horse spill that resulted in two other horses being eased. Pima Gold Point fell with Danny Cox and Blazing Frost stumbled over her downed rival and lost rider Bill Troilo. Knot of Herakles and Lettergo Daddio were eased.
John Engelhardt, public relations director for River Downs, said the horses and riders escaped serious injury in the incident.
The accident illustrated the dangers riders must overcome to be successful. Ouzts himself has suffered fractures and other injuries and nearly lost an eye after being kicked in the face in an accident.
"If you ever really sat around and thought about it, you wouldn't do this job," he said. "I've broken about everything I've got once or twice. You don't ever think about it or you'd never go back out. You'd never, ever ride a horse again. You just push it back in mind and go out and do it."
