by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Driver Brent Holland won the 5,000th race of his career Friday night (June 23), doing so at his place of residence, Yonkers Raceway.

Georgia Panagi photo

Brent Holland captured his 5,000th career race with Delightful Dragon at Yonkers Raceway on Saturday night.

Holland and Delightful Dragon ($7.40) lasted on the lead by a scant schnoz in the sixth race, a $40,000 Filly and Mare Preferred Handicap Pace, giving the 46-year-old, as of this past Sunday, the milestone in a season’s-best 1:53.2 mile.

The affable Holland is a native of Wilmington, Ohio, who began working with horses for a neighbor, Maynard Hagemeyer.

“He and Bob Farrington in Chicago both taught me a lot,” Holland said.

His first winner came in in his first parimutuel start, as an 18-year-old with longshot E C’s Best in 1989 at Lebanon Raceway.

“Pouring down rain,” he said. “When I won my first, I used to look up to all the great drivers and never thought about a number like 5,000,”

Asked for some winner’s circle wit, Holland offered that, “The horse did all the work.” In this case, the hard-working lass, now 4-for-18 this season, is a 6-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight owned and trained by Noel Daley.

Holland, who migrated east from the Chicagoland circuit not quite a decade ago, has more than $54.2 million in career purses. He was joined by his wife, Dee, and friends for a winner’s circle presentation.