Castanon surpasses 2000-win milestone

Jockey Jesus Castanon officially recorded his 2,000th career winner when guiding SECESSIONIST (Southern Image) to victory in Friday's 1ST race at Keeneland.

Trained by Donnie Von Hemel, the 5-2 favorite was reserved in fourth before making his move on the final turn, going four wide to wear down Deadly Catch (Dixie Union) before taking the lead to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:10 in the six-furlong Polytrack maiden race.

"I was hoping that I would get it done at Arlington, but now (that) I've got my whole family in Kentucky and I've been here for 15 years, it couldn't get better than this," Castanon said. "To be at Keeneland, it's such a nice place to get it done." 

Afterward, members of the Keeneland jockey colony congratulated Castanon in the winner's circle.

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