Shakopee, MN – Trainer Larry Donlin won his 1,000th thoroughbred race Wednesday when West Island crossed the finish line first in the eighth race at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn.

Breaking sharply, favored West Island and Pareto’s Principle struck to the lead and the two traveled in tandem down the backstretch. At the eighth pole, jockey Eduardo Gallardo was able to shake loose from Pareto’s Principle and kick clear in the lane, winning by 5 3/4 lengths. The outcome was never in doubt and Donlin was able to celebrate after several close calls the last few weeks.

Donlin, 82, began training in 1973 in Nebraska.  By his estimation, he has won another “40 or 50” races but those were not at recognized racetracks or occurred when record keeping was minimal.

Throughout his career Donlin has run horses and won races at several tracks around the country, some currently operating and others that are distant memories.  Wins came at Fonner Park, Lincoln, Columbus, Atokad and Ak-Sar-Ben in Nebraska; Detroit Race Course and Hazel Park in Michigan; Sportman’s Park , Hawthorne and Arlington Park in Illinois; Dueling Grounds and Turfway Park in Kentucky; Oaklawn Park in Arkansas; Prairie Meadows in Iowa; Remington Park in Oklahoma; Fair Grounds in Louisiana; Turf Paradise in Arizona; Park Jefferson in South Dakota and a track in Billings, Montana.