History is always made on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs.
But unlike the Kentucky Derby (G1), which has a new winner every year, a much more permanent bit of history was recorded May 3 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
When jockey John Velazquez and trainer Todd Pletcher teamed to win the $175,000 Westchester Stakes (G3) with Centennial Farms' Antiquarian, it marked the 500th stakes victory for the jockey-trainer combination.
Records are made to be broken but given how no other American jockey-trainer is even close to that milestone, it seems certain to be a record that will last the test of time.
"It's unbelievable. That's hard to do," Velazquez. "For a trainer and a jockey to do that, I am blessed Todd gave me the opportunity to ride for him."
Grade 1 winner Antiquaruan, a son of Preservationist, made his first start since finishing eighth in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).
Owner Don Little Jr. said the Suburban Stakes (G2) and the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) are among the options for Antiquarian.
Bishops Bay was second in the mile Westchester.
This story will be updated.
