Journeyman Tracy Hebert rode the 4139th winner of his 40-year career Friday at Gulfstream Park, kicking off the 10-race program with a 4 ½ -length victory aboard Quiet All Around.
The 56-year-old native of Erath, LA, who had been riding in New Mexico for the past few years, ventured to Gulfstream Park for the 2019-2020 Championship Meet at the urging of Don Hunt, the trainer of Quiet All Around ($10.60).
“Mr. Don Hunt was sick in the past and he’s over that now. He’s known my wife, Joy, for a while. He said, ‘If you come, I’ll try to put a string together, but only if you come,’” Hebert said. “My wife and I talked about it and came to this decision.”
Hebert has won riding titles at Jefferson Downs, Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs, Turfway Park, Thistledown, Zia Park and most recently Arapahoe Park during his well-traveled career.
“I got tired of the mixed meets, the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse mix, and two-day racing,” said Hebert, who has ridden extensively in the Midwest, including Churchill Downs and Fair Grounds. “I did well there, don’t get me wrong.”
Hebert won the biggest race of his career at Sunland Park last year when he guided Runaway Ghost to victory in $800,000 Sunland Derby (G3).
Quiet All Around, a 3-year-old daughter of Temple City, was purchased following a fourth-place finish in a $15,000 maiden claiming race at Churchill Downs Nov. 17. While breaking her maiden Friday she advanced along the backstretch after breaking from the rail post, grabbed the lead on the turn and drew off to capture the mile maiden race for $12,500 claimers.
“This track plays a lot like Churchill. If she ran a little bit like her last race, I knew she would be tough,” Hebert said.
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