Jockey Sonny Leon earned his 1,000^th win Sunday at Monmouth Park, guiding Not Too Late to a gritty victory in the $100,000 Maryfield Stakes to secure the milestone.

Not Too Late, trained by Uriah St. Lewis, battled three-wide for the early lead, seized control entering the stretch, and held off a determined challenge from Volleyballprincess to prevail by a neck. The dark bay daughter of McKinzie snapped an eight-race losing streak and now owns three wins from 13 career starts.

“It’s a special day, especially in a stakes race,” said Leon. “It’s great. Great things have happened to me. I feel very fortunate.”

For Leon, the victory adds to a career that has already seen historic highs. The 35-year-old Venezuelan native famously piloted Rich Strike to a shocking 80-1 upset in the 2022 Kentucky Derby, a win that remains his lone graded stakes triumph. That same year, he posted his highest annual earnings, with his mounts collecting more than $5.7 million. His most productive season in terms of wins came in 2021, when he reached the winner’s circle 226 times.

Sunday’s milestone came in Leon’s 7,352nd career start. His career purse earnings now exceed $23 million.

Leon is currently riding at Monmouth Park for the first time and has made a strong impression. With 15 wins from 105 starts at the meet, he is tied for third in the jockey standings.

In the Maryfield Stakes, Not Too Late returned $18.20 to win and stopped the clock in 1:11.13 for six furlongs on a fast track. Her victory held up despite a jockey objection from the runner-up, which was dismissed by the stewards.

It was Leon’s second win of the day.