Jockey Jorge A. Vargas, Jr. notched the 1,000^th win of his career on Friday at Monmouth Park when 13-1 Gran Yaco won the final race on the eight-race card.

“It’s a mix of emotions – I’m very happy but also relieved,” he said. “No matter what you say about trying not to think about it when you’re close it gets to you.

“But I’m very happy with the accomplishment. It’s a great feeling.”

Vargas, who hails from Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, has been riding in the United States since 2013, winning with his first mount. His best year was in 2018 when he won 144 races with earnings of $5,450,944. His purse earnings also topped $5 million the following year.

A graduate of the noted Puerto Rican jockey school Escuela Vocacional Hipica, Vargas is the fifth member of his class to reach the 1,000-win milestone, joining Victor Carrasco, Many Franco, Jevian Toledo and Edgard Zayas.

Overall, the 30-year-old has had 6,807 starts with career earnings of more than $40 million. He has won eight graded stakes in his career, including the 2018 Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park aboard Ms Locust Point.

He currently splits his time between Parx and Monmouth Park.