Mountaineer Man Dale Baird First to Reach 6,000 Victories

Dale Baird became the first thoroughbred trainer in North America to register 6,000 winners Thursday when Irish Laser galloped to victory in a 5 1/2-furlong race at Mountaineer Park.

Baird’s horses had $9.5 million in prize money before Thursday night’s racing. Irish Laser, a 3-year-old colt, finished in 1:03 3/5 and paid $4, $3.80 and $3.

Jack Van Berg of California was the first North American trainer to surpass 5,000 career victories. In 1988, Baird passed Van Berg, who had 5,687 victories through July 31.

Baird is quick to point out most of his victories have come at tiny Mountaineer Park, a track 30 miles west of Pittsburgh with an average daily attendance of about 1,500.