Steve Miyadi recorded his 1,000th training victory Saturday when his
three-year-old filly SHESGOINGHOLLYWOOD (Old Topper) won the 1ST race at Golden
Gate Fields. Miyadi, 52, saddled his first winner in 1987 at Del Mar and has
been among the leading trainers in Northern California for several years.
“I’m very thankful,” Miyadi said following his milestone victory. “I’m
thankful to all the bettors and all the owners because without them we have
nothing.”
Shesgoinghollywood rallied from just off the pace to win the 1 1/16-mile
starter allowance race by 2 1/4 lengths under jockey Russell Baze as the 8-5
favorite.
Miyadi enjoyed his biggest year in 2008 when he won 167 races and finished
tied for 12th in the nation in victories. The conditioner saddled 102 winners in
2009 to finish tied for 44th in the national standings.
Known for running for a high-percentage barn, Miyadi recorded a win
percentage of better than 30 percent four consecutive years (33.3 in 2003, 37.6
in 2004, 31.5 in 2005 and 32.9 in 2006). His most prolific meeting was the
2004-2005 winter session at Golden Gate Fields when he scored with 22 of his 52
starters for an amazing win percentage of 42.3.
Miyadi has trained many stakes winners, including Drag Race, who captured the
Del Mar Futurity (G1) in 1989, and Music Prospector, who won the Santa Catalina
S. in 1990 and finished fourth in the Preakness S. (G1). His roster of stakes
winners also includes Somethinaboutlaura, Bellsblade, Squallcreek, Eleanor Rose,
First Draft and Lunachick.
Miyadi cited Drag Race and Music Prospector as two of his favorite runners
but was also quick to mention the horse that gave him his first win.
“Wachira,” Miyadi said. “It was at Del Mar and Laffit (Pincay Jr.) was up.”