'I'll always enjoy it'; Bejarano celebrates 4,000th career win

The 37-year-old jockey Rafael Bejarano celebrated his 4,000th career win Saturday at Santa Anita Park after riding sophomore filly Portal Creek to a victor in Race 3.

The native of Peru said he's "blessed," and that "over all these years, this job is a love, and it's all about the horses."

Bejarano, who has won four Breeders' Cup races along with the 2010 Kentucky Oaks aboard Blind Luck, reflected upon reaching the mark at Santa Anita in particular.

"This track has always been so special for me," he said. "My first day I started here (April 8, 2006) I won six races in one day and it was very special. All these years have gone by and I’ve been having a lot of hard times and accidents but I really enjoy riding, especially here at Santa Anita, It’s such a beautiful place, I’ll always enjoy it.  

“I love horse racing. It's part of my home and part of my life. We spend a lot of time here from the early morning to sometimes (the) evening. All the riders, the groomers, the trainers, the owners -- they spend so much time working so hard, putting all they have, all the love they have.

"It’s very good for us everybody enjoys everything every day we love horse racing.”