Jockey Calvin Borel gets 5,000th career win

Calvin Borel, pictured in 2009 riding the horse Rachel Alexandra, got his 5,000th win Thursday.

Mike Groll, File/AP

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) -- Calvin Borel earned his 5,000th career win Thursday by riding Hezunusal to victory in the sixth race at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs.

The 46-year-old Borel, a three-time Kentucky Derby winner, became the 26th North American jockey with 5,000 wins.

"When I started, I didn't even dream of riding 5,000 races, let alone winning 5,000," said Borel, who has also won the Preakness Stakes. "I would like to dedicate this race to my agent (Jerry Hissam).

"I want to thank all the trainers and fans. I think they saw I always tried my best and appreciated it. I'm really happy I got this at Oaklawn. It's one of my favorite tracks."

Everyone at Oaklawn on Thursday received a commemorative trading card honoring Borel's milestone achievement, courtesy of the City of Hot Springs.

The Oaklawn racing season began in January with Borel at 4,999 wins following a Dec. 28 victory in New Orleans, but the rider broke his wrist days before the meet opened. He returned in February, but couldn't come up with a winner until Thursday.

Borel, a 2011 inductee into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, was Oaklawn's leading rider in 1995 and 2005.

Other milestone wins for Borel at Oaklawn include the 1993 Arkansas Derby, the 1997 and 2001 Apple Blossom Handicaps, the 2000 Oaklawn Handicap and the 2009 Fantasy Stakes aboard Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 horse of the year that he rode to victory in the Preakness.

His Kentucky Derby winners were Street Sense in 2007, Mine That Bird in 2009 and Super Saver in 2010.