BY GULFSTREAM PARK PRESS OFFICE

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Veteran jockey Edgar Perez reached the milestone of 1,000-wins in North America Sunday at Gulfstream Park, where he guided Desert Ruler to a two-and-a-half-length victory in the seventh race for trainer Enrique Amado.

Desert Ruler paid $8.40 to win.

“I’m a very, very happy man,” Perez said. “Thank you, Lord. Thanks to my family, the owner, the trainer and everybody. To win 1,000 races in the United States, unbelievable.”

Based on the Chicago circuit for several years, the 43-year-old journeyman has established a strong year-round presence at Gulfstream Park since moving to South Florida upon the closure of Arlington Park.

Perez had established prominence in his native Venezuela, where he was the regular rider of Gustavo Delgado-trained Bambera, whom he guided to a ninth Grade 1 victory in the 2009 Clasico del Caribe at Camarero.

Perez, who is represented by agent Rene Douglas, ventured to the U.S. in 2009 after winning 1,300 races in Venezuela. He scored his first U.S. victory on his very first stateside mount, Macho Prince, at Calder Race Course.

Return to Nov. 12 issue of Wire to Wire