Churchill notes: Leparoux is 5th to ride 1,000 winners at track

French-born jockey Julien Leparoux became only the fifth rider in Churchill Downs history to record 1,000 victories beneath the historic Twin Spires when the Ian Wilkes-trained 3-year-old filly Walkathon captured Saturday’s 53rd running of the Grade 3 Regret Stakes.

“It feels great and I’m glad to get it done today for Ian,” Leparoux said. “I’ve ridden for him for about 15 years now and it’s special to be able to get this milestone with him. I can’t really pick a moment that stands out above the others for the 1,000 wins but I’m very thankful for everyone who’s gotten me this far.”

Leparoux joined Pat Day (2,482 Churchill Downs wins), Calvin Borel (1,232), Robby Albarado (1,192) and Corey Lanerie (1,169) in a select group of jockeys that reached the 1,000-win milestone at Churchill Downs.

Leparoux, who will turn 39 on July 15, is the son of the late Robert Leparoux, a former jockey who became an assistant trainer. After working as a stable hand at Chantilly Racecourse in his native homeland, Leparoux ventured to the U.S. and worked as an exercise rider for fellow Frenchman Patrick Biancone before taking out his riding license in 2005.

Leparoux recorded his first victory at the Louisville, Ky., track on Nov. 26, 2005, aboard Three Steps Ahead. It was his only win of that meeting.

Since then, he’s earned a pair of Eclipse Awards as the nation’s outstanding apprentice jockey of 2006 and America’s outstanding jockey of 2009. Also, he’s piloted 50 Grade 1 winners, including millionaires Tepin ($3,714,800), Forever Together ($2,633,200), Classic Empire ($2,520,220), Einstein ($1,726,893), Informed Decision ($1,691,839), Pure Clan ($1,536,624), Heart to Heart ($1,276,068), Turallure ($1,216,775), Sadler’s Joy ($1,214,800), She Be Wild ($1,084,500), Carina Mia ($1,073,520) and Concrete Rose ($1,041,900).

Walkathon was Leparoux’s 2,872nd career win. His more than 16,000 lifetime mounts have amassed more than $182 million.

Strava breaks through with win for legendary coach Crum

Former University of Louisville men’s basketball coach Denny Crum was on hand at Churchill Downs on Saturday afternoon to watch his 3-year-old colt Strava cruise to a six-length allowance victory.

Strava, who is co-owned by WinStar Farm and Siena Farm, was an $825,000 purchase by Crum at the 2021 Keeneland November Mixed Sale.

“We got together and I said, ‘Let’s go buy us a nice one.’ We bought him and he was a little expensive but Coach said, ‘I never get beat in Lexington,’” trainer Dallas Stewart joked.

A joyful Crum was joined in the winner’s circle by many friends and family to celebrate Strava’s victory.

“It’s been a long time coming it seems,” Crum said. “I really liked the way he finished up. Our trainer did a hell of a job.”

Strava banked $73,420 for the $130,125 first-level allowance victory. The bay colt by Into Mischief covered one-mile in 1:34.83 and earned a career best 94 Brisnet Speed Rating.

Bango joins list of 7-time Churchill Downs winners

Repeat Aristides Stakes winner Bango has now joined a list of elite company at Churchill Downs after he recorded his seventh victory beneath the historic Twin Spires.

The Greg Foley-trained 5-year-old has become one of only 27 documented seven-time winners at Churchill Downs. He’s now four wins away from tying all-time leader Ready’s Rocket, who recorded 11 wins from 2005-12.

One of the most notable seven-time winners at Churchill Downs is former two-time Horse of the Year turned Hall of Famer Wise Dan, who tabbed his victories from 2010-14. The other seven-time winners: Avis Rapidus (1991-95), Bad Student (2013-17), Classy Maria (1993-95), Cyclone Mountain (1992-96), Hazards of Love (2009-16), Hold the Truth (1991-95), In the Zone (1991-95), One Dark Cloud (1991-94), Riddle in Time (1991-96), Silent Stream (2000-04), Sterling Gold (2002-06), The Jettsetter (1994-98), Villiers (1990-95) and Wilbo (2015-20).

“He loves it here at Churchill Downs almost as much as we do,” Foley said. “We’ll try and run him once more before the meet is over.”

Owned by Fred and Debbie Schwartz’ Tamaroak Partners, Bango has earned $559,915 of his $675,545 at Churchill Downs. Overall, the homebred son of Congrats has won nine of 23 starts with one second and two third place finishes.

Herreno (1982-87), Barrister Siv (1981-84) and Can’tholdmeback (1980-85) have all won nine races locally. Athenium (1991-94), Bet On Sunshine (1995-2002), Canela (2005-10), Crown Lease (1991-95), Lord Rusty (1993-2000), Maxxed (1995-98) and Paden (2014-17) have all won eight times at Churchill Downs.