SHAKOPEE, MN – Heading into the 9th race at Canterbury Park, trainer Mac Robertson was sitting on 999 wins and had two live runners trying to get him number 1000: Thunder and Honey and Sioux Appeal.

“I just wanted them both to run well,” said Robertson.

And run well they did.  Heading into the stretch of the state bred $35,000 optional claimer, there were three left in contention: the Robertson duo and the potential party spoiler from the Bernell Rhone barn, Blues Edge.

As the trio thundered down the lane, Blues Edge began to fade and the win was in his grasp.  Thunder and Honey crossed the line 3/4 length in front of Sioux Appeal to make it official.

The 42-year old Robertson had his first winner at Ak-Sar-Ben racecourse in Omaha, Nebraska in 1994.  In 2005 Robertson won what was to be the first of nine consecutive Canterbury Park training titles and was inducted into the track’s Hall of Fame in 2011.

Robertson was quick to acknowledge his appreciation to his owners over the years.

“I really appreciate that they have stuck with me despite all of my character flaws,” he joked.

He chalked up his success to mentors Bun Colvin, Jim Robertson and his dad, Hugh, with whom he worked for ten years before heading out on his own.

“I’ve always loved cats, dogs…all animals, really,” said Robertson in the winners’ circle during a brief ceremony in his honor.  “I like my horses more than most people,” which elicited laughter and nods of agreement from many fans in attendance.

“And thank you, Canterbury Park,” he finished.  Acknowledging the crowd and the track where he saddled 609 of his 1000 winners.

Robertson wasn’t finished on the day, though.  He finished second in the 10th and notched his 1001st victory in the 11th.  A fitting end to a memorable day.