Trainer Ron Burke celebrated his 5,000th career win early Friday evening as Comicbook Hero prevailed in a four-horse photo finish in the second race at The Meadows.
Burke, 44, entered Friday needing just one win to reach the milestone and had plenty of opportunities with horses racing at five different tracks and states across the U.S.
Burke's first victory of the day came in his home state of Pennsylvania as favourite Comicbook Hero ($5.60) and driver Dave Palone rallied three-wide around the final turn and kicked home to edge out Im Feelin Good, Odin Blue Chip and Perrito Caliente by a head in 1:51.3.
The four-year-old Artiscape gelding is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Joseph Di Scala Jr. and J And T Silva Stables.
This past Spring, Burke became the first trainer in North American harness racing history to pass the $100 million mark in U.S. career earnings.
Last season he set single-season records for both wins (1,090) and earnings ($22.2 million).
He continues to top the North American standings this year with over 400 winners and $6.3 million in purses.