Cruz records 2,000th North American winner

Manoel Cruz donned an auspicious set of silks for his milestone win (Jim Lisa/Calder Race Course) Jockey Manoel Cruz, 39, rode his 2,000th North American career winner on Sunday at Calder Race Course when he guided J C Stable's four-year-old gelding Catch Rikki (Mongoose) to victory in the 7TH race for trainer Larry Pilotti.  It was a dramatic day for Cruz, who rode four second-place finishers on the card before getting the milestone win. "They told me yesterday (Saturday) that I was getting close," said Cruz, who rode four winners at Calder on Saturday to get him to win 1,999.  He finished first in the 12TH and final race on Saturday, which would have been victory number 2,000, but was disqualified for interference in the stretch and subsequently placed second.  "I just had to get it done today," he said. "I was confident with my first mount (Cucina Nick [Roar] in the 2ND race), but we lost by a neck."

It was the first of four close second-place finishes for Cruz, which

generated enthusiasm among his many fans at the track. Cruz was beaten only a

half-length aboard Translucent Sky (Sweetsouthernsaint) in the 3RD, went down by

a head when guiding Keechi Bullet (Red Bullet) in the 5TH, and was a length shy

with Wise Vision (Wised Up) in the 6TH.

In the 7TH, Catch Rikki tracked in second, accosted the early leader on the

far turn, and kicked clear to win by six lengths. The 3-5 favorite completed one

mile and 70 yards in 1:44 3/5 on a track listed as good.

A native of Brazil, Cruz was among the top jockeys at Hipodromo Cidade Jardim,

winning 1,200 races there before coming to the United States in 2000. In 2002,

Cruz earned his first riding title in the United States when he was the leading

rider at Tampa Bay Downs. He came to Calder that summer and was the meet's

second leading jockey.

Over the years, Cruz has earned five riding titles at the Calder and Tropical

meets and rode his 1,000th North American career winner on September 17, 2005,

at Calder. He is the leading jockey at the current Calder meet.

"I love my job," said Cruz, after getting doused with water by his colleagues

outside the winner's circle, a tradition usually reserved for first-time

winners.

"This makes me so happy. Now I can't wait for 3,000, 4,000, and 5,000."