NEWS
Trainer Amoss secures 2,000th career winner
Posted: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 5:33 PM
Trainer Tom Amoss earned his milestone 2,000th career win when Cat Splendor won the fourth race by 5 1/2 lengths at Churchill Downs on Tuesday.
Sent off as the 1.90-to-1 favorite, the Tale of the Cat filly advanced four wide on the turn before driving to a clear win under Calvin Borel in the 6 1/2-furlong claiming race.
A native of New Orleans, Amoss began his career as a hotwalker for Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg while he was in high school. A Louisiana State University graduate, he worked for trainer Frank Brothers in Louisiana after college prior to spending a year as a veterinary assistant. He then became an assistant to Larry Robideaux in Louisiana and John Parisella in New York.
Amoss took out his trainer’s license in 1987 at age 25 and saddled his first winner at Sportsman’s Park. His stable is based primarily at Churchill Downs and Fair Grounds. He also has worked as a television analyst for ESPN2’s “2Day at the Races” program and various programs on Television Games Network.
His most prominent runner to date is multiple Grade 1 winner Heritage of Gold, who captured the 2000 Apple Blossom (G1) and Go for Wand (G1) Handicaps and earned $2,381,762 during her career.
A 1999 inductee into the Fair Grounds hall of fame, Amoss has earned leading trainer titles at the New Orleans track eight times. He also has earned leading riding titles at Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs, and Churchill Downs.
Amoss and his family relocated to Louisville after loosing their home when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2006.
