By Gina Holt
Enquirer contributor

Jockeys Rodney Prescott , Mary Doser and Jason Lumpkins in the paddock at Turfway Park, Florence. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

FLORENCE - Turfway Park is setting records - some dismal, some downright exciting.

The thoroughbred track canceled its ninth straight day of live racing Sunday because of winter weather.

But on the days the weather has been good enough to race in the last 30 days, three jockeys have reached major riding milestones.

And a fourth rider is just four wins away from reaching another record.

Jockeys Rodney Prescott and Mary Doser both collected their 1,000th wins earlier this month. Turfway Park's leading rider Jason Lumpkins achieved his 2,000-career win on Jan. 31.

"It's really unusual to have so many jockeys hit milestones in such a short time on one track," Turfway spokeswoman Jennifer Haas said.

Lumpkins was aboard Ray Cottrell Sr.'s A May Zing Devil for his milestone ride. He has had four five-win days since Jan. 1 and rode 48 winners during the month.

"I wasn't sure I was going to get there," said Lumpkins, who won the race in a photo finish with Unfaced. "It's a good feeling. I knew I was getting close.

"I said after I won 1,000 that I would just count them (the wins) as they come and that's what I'll continue to do."

At his current pace, Haas said, it is possible that Lumpkins could reach several other milestones during the Winter-Spring Meet, which runs through April 3.

He is chasing jockey Kris Prather's 2001 records of six wins on one card and 109 victories for a meet.

Doser has become one of 14 female riders in the world who have collected their 1,000 win, hers aboard October Optimist in the eighth race at Turfway.

"You don't ever think you'll get there," Doser said. "This is really great. Things have just been falling into place lately."

Doser began her career in 1986 and was leading apprentice rider at Ellis Park that year. Her first victory came aboard Donda's Future at River Downs in 1986.

Prescott, leading rider of Turfway's 2002 Holiday Meet, collected his 1,000th career victory aboard My Name's Jamie in the first race during this meet.

Doser almost kept Prescott from reaching the milestone when her mount, Kellie's Ghost, came flying late to finish in a tight photo with My Name's Jamie.

"I felt pretty confident I was going to win until the last jump," said Prescott. "I really thought she had caught me. This is a great feeling. I always thought I'd reach 1,000. Now I know I can reach 2,000."

Prescott collected his first victory in 1994 aboard Blue Bravado at River Downs. He is ranked third in the Turfway standings, behind Lumpkins and Dean Butler.

Meanwhile, jockey Billy Troilo remains four wins away from 2,000.

That is, if the weather breaks enough for him to get up.

The track hopes to resume live racing on Wednesday, and plans Monday live racing during March to make up for the cancellations.

Despite an ice storm, two snowstorms and several days of steady rain, Turfway remains upbeat. The track said Sunday it received 142 nominations in the 32nd running of the $500,000 Lane's End Stakes. Lane's End is the track's Kentucky Derby prep race scheduled for March 22.

In its second year sponsored by the prestigious Lane's End Farm owned by U.S. British Ambassador Will Farish, the Grade II race for three-year-olds garnered 142 nominations -- a 24 percent increase over 2002.

Among the standout horses are Sky Mesa, Toccet, Lion Tamer and Badge of Silver.

Trainer Todd Pletcher had 14 nominations, D. Wayne Lukas had 11 and Irish trainer Aidan O'Brian had six. Bob Baffert and Bobby Frankel had four nominations apiece.