FAIR GROUNDS: PAUL MCGEE LANDS VICTORY 1,000

By Brian Spencer —-

Photos Provided by Hodges Photography

NEW ORLEANS (December 29, 2016) – Trainer Paul McGee earned his 1,000th career victory on Thursday afternoon at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots by saddling well-regarded sophomore December Seven to an authoritative allowance victory under jockey James Graham for longtime client Jay Em Ess Stable of Samantha Siegel.

The 54-year-old native of Louisville, Kentucky, spends his year between New Orleans in the winter and various Kentucky tracks through the remainder of the year and has won 19 graded stakes throughout his career. His two Grade I victories include the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic in 2003 with Honor in War and the Hollywood Starlet in 2000 with I Believe in You. Other notable pupils include multiple Grade II winner Suave, top handicappers Majestic Harbor and Demarcation and 14-time stakes winner and two-time Grade I Breeders’ Cup Sprint-placed Bet On Sunshine.

Renowned for his patience, the Bellarmine College alum has a career strike rate of 18.1% with career earnings in excess of $31.2 million. McGee, who began as a hotwalker at age 15, saddled his first career winner on June 23, 1987 at Churchill Downs with Pabarene.

“It feels great,” McGee said afterward. “Samantha has been a great client for many years and a great friend. I don’t know how many of the thousand were for Jay Em Ess Stable, but it was a lot and it’s good to do it for Samantha.”

About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the nation’s third-oldest racetrack, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, Fair Grounds is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Market: CHDN); it also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 11 off-track betting parlors throughout southeast Louisiana. The 145th Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 104th running of the Louisiana Derby – will run from November 2016 through April 2017. More information can be found online at www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.