Wed Nov 7 19:01:57 2007

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Jockey Pino records 6,000th victory

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Laurel, MD (Sports Network) - Veteran jockey Mario Pino notched his 6,000th career win Wednesday at Laurel Park. Pino, the rider of Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up Hard Spun, becomes the 15th rider to achieve the mark in North America.

"It is all about dedication, working hard and showing up," said Pino. "It is not easy. When I hit 5,000 and 4,000 it was a big accomplishment, but 6,000 is in my mind a little bit. I know the names ahead of me well."

The 46-year-old Pino hit number 6,000 with a victory aboard Pass Play in Wednesday's seventh race at the Maryland track. Pino won the first race with Golden Shades.

This year Pino and Hard Spun captured the Lane's End and King's Bishop Stakes, and the Kentucky Cup Classic. They were second in the Kentucky Derby and Haskell Invitational, and third in the Preakness Stakes.

Pino was taken off Hard Spun for the Belmont Stakes where the colt finished fourth under Garrett Gomez.

The all-time jockey leader with almost 10,000 wins is Russell Baze.

Last Sunday, Pino's brother Michael notched his 1,000th career win as a trainer. Michael Pino trains Pass Play.