Veteran jockey Perry Ouzts rode the 50,000th race of his career Saturday night at Turfway Park, and although he fell short of victory with this mount, Need the Wall, finishing second, he was understandably honored by Turfway in a ceremony after the race.

To put his number of rides in perspective only Russell Baze, the winningest North American jockey of all-time, has been aboard more horses than Ouzts, with 53,578 mounts.

Ouzts, 63, ranks ninth by wins among all jockeys in the history of North American racing with 6,881 victories. And if he can remain injury free, he plans to keep going, seeking to pass Baze for most mounts.

“I’m thinking three-and-a-half more years is about as far as I want to go,” he told Turfway publicity. “I think by then I will have accomplished all I can do. I’m hoping I can get up to fifth in the all-time (win) standings.”

“Who would have thought I’d be 63 years old and still riding every day? I don’t ride just to say I’m still riding. I wouldn’t do it if I couldn’t be competitive. I’d go do something else.”

Ouzts grew up in Rivervale, Ark., riding horses with his cousin, Hall of Fame jockey Earlie Fires. He won his first race in 1973 at Beulah Park aboard Rablu and has been a mainstay in Ohio racing since, holding a record 34 meet titles from Belterra Park, formerly River Downs, and vast others from defunct Beulah Park. He also owns one riding title from Turfway.