With 308th Winner, Arnold Becomes Keeneland’s All-Time Leading Trainer

[Wandering Eyes]

With his win in Friday's sixth race at Keeneland with Into the Stars (Into Mischief). Rusty Arnold became the winningest trainer in Keeneland history. It was his 308th winner at the Lexington track, one more than Bill Mott.

An emotional Arnold was still savoring the victory when reached by phone Friday night.

“I'm from here and started out here,” Arnold said. “I came out here and started with my father. It means a lot to me. When I started out, I was just trying to win one race here. Now we're nearly 50 years later and we got by Billy. I'm sure he's going to come back, but you know what, I got him for one day, anyway.”

The win came in a $120,000 allowance race and Into the Stars is owned by G. Watts Humphrey Jr.

“I thought it was really neat it was for Mr. Humphrey,” Arnold said. “I don't know how many of my Keeneland wins were for him. I don't know the stats. But a lot of these winners were for him. He was here in the paddock today. I'm not really goal-oriented but it was a really satisfying accomplishment.”

Arnold, a native of Paris, Kentucky began his career in 1975. His first win came on July 25, 1975, at Delaware Park with La Yo Quiero. In 1976, Arnold won his first race at Keeneland.

“I think my first winner here came in 1976,” he said. “But whenever it was it was around 50 years ago.”

Arnold has won 25 stakes at Keeneland, including eight Grade I's. He has won the GI Spinster S. twice and has also saddled two winners of the GI Jenny Wiley. A third-generation horseman, Arnold has earned three trainer titles at Keeneland–in the spring meets of 1985 and 1986 and the fall meet of 1987.

His record may not last for long as Mott has two starters on the Saturday card at Keeneland and typically makes more starts at the Keeneland than Arnold does.

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