NEWS
Jockey Luzzi earns 3,000th career win
Posted: Saturday, May 17, 2008 7:54 PM
Jockey Mike Luzzi earned his 3,000th North American win on Saturday by riding Too Tough Pete to a 1 1/2-length victory in the tenth race at Belmont Park.
“That’s a nice milestone,” Luzzi said. “I got my family here and they’re all happy for me. It’s been fun.”
Luzzi, 38, swept the final two races on Belmont’s ten-race card. He closed within one win of the milestone by guiding Cowgirls Don’t Cry to a front-running 2 1/4-length win in the $150,000 Shuvee Handicap (G2).
Luzzi made his riding debut in 1988, and has compiled $89,397,617 in purse earnings through Saturday. From 22,633 mounts, Luzzi has guided in 2,757 runners-up and 2,885 third-place finishers.
Luzzi has posted 64 wins in graded stakes races. He earned his most lucrative victories in two races worth $500,000 apiece—the 2003 Smile Sprint (G3) and the ’06 Apple Blossom (G1) Handicaps.
Luzzi guided Spun Sugar to victory in the ’06 Apple Blossom. He won the ’03 Smile Sprint aboard Shake You Down.
A Floral Park, New York, resident, Luzzi earned an Eclipse Award in 1989 as North America’s outstanding apprentice. He was introduced to racing through his grandfather, late trainer Buddy Raines, and brother John, a jockey.
Luzzi posted his first career win aboard Tis a Sir on November 12, 1988, at Laurel Park. He scored his 2,000th career win with Magic Merlin on September 13, 2000, at the Meadowlands.
