Loveberry Wins Career Race 2,000 at Fair Grounds
New Orleans, La (Dec. 12, 2025) – In Friday’s eighth and final race of the afternoon at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, veteran jockey Jareth Loveberry scored the 2,000th win of his career, guiding the front running Island Cabana to the victory for trainer Justin Jeansonne.
“Winning my 2,000th career race at a historic racetrack like Fair Grounds, it’s pretty special,” Loveberry said. “Just thinking back 20 years ago, being tall like I am, I never thought I could get here.”
Sitting two wins shy entering the day’s action, Loveberry took the Friday opener with the odds-on favorite Prince Day for Larry Rivelli, putting him on the doorstep of the milestone.
“After I got the first one I said to myself, I have a couple of other horses with a chance today but I really think I could get the last,” Loveberry said. “It’s just good to get this weight off my shoulders. It’s been a long road. Thanks to my wife (Stacie) and kids (Kennedy 13 and Colton 9) for supporting me every step of the way.”
Loveberry, 38, grew up in rural Michigan and began riding at lower-level horse racing venues such as Great Lakes Downs. His career has taken him all over the country, with Loveberry best known for winning multiple titles at Arlington Park and finishing second in the Kentucky Derby aboard Two Phil’s for Rivelli in 2023.
“Starting from the bottom, there are a lot of horses who mean a whole lot to me, from Chicky Poo all the way to more recent years with Two Phils and Chunk of Gold,” Loveberry said. “The horses got me here.”
Under the guidance of his agent, “the architect” Steve Leving, Loveberry is riding his fifth season at Fair Grounds. He cracked the top ten in his first meet here and has finished in the top three in local standings the last three seasons.
“Steve has been a big part of my success,” Loveberry said. “I was kind of going stale a little bit in 2019 when we got the connection to go to Chicago in the fall and we’ve been together ever since. I’ve got nothing but appreciation and gratitude for everything he has done.”
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