by Greg Thompson, Stallionesearch.com

DALLAS, TX—MARCH 14, 2015-Veteran riders Donald Watson and Ricky Ramirez both celebrated riding milestones as we move into the middle of March.

Watson, who is aboard the Kevin Broussard trained Tm All In in the Mardi Gras Derby(RG2) on Saturday at Louisiana Downs, eclipsed the 1000 win plateau in his racing career earlier in the 2015 Quarter Horse racing meet in Bossier City, Louisiana.

The 49-year-old Ville Platte, Louisiana native is a mainstay on the Louisiana Quarter Horse racing circuit, and brought home the win aboard Touch of La Jolla in the 1996 LQHBA Futurity(RG1), Sante Mon Amie in the 2010 Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2 ), and Eyesa Flash in the 2010 Laddie Futurity( RG2 ), etc.

Ramirez eclipsed the 800 wins mark in his career on March 13th by guiding Trey Wood’s SC Divas First Down to victory in a Maiden Claiming event at Remington Park. Ramirez, a native of Odessa, Texas, has qualified three horses for trainer Trey Wood for the March 21st Oklahoma Derby, as well as being aboard the fastest qualifier going into the 2015 rendition of the Harrah’s Entertainment Futurity(G3) at Louisiana Downs.

Ramirez has won multiple riding titles at Lone Star Park, as well as twelve G1 wins, including the 2014 Texas Classic Futurity(G1) aboard Torts On Fire, 2013 Rainbow Futurity(G1) aboard Ms First Prize Rose and 2012 Heritage Place Futurity(G1) aboard BP Cartels Alibi, etc.

In recognition of Watson’s milestone, Louisiana Downs will be making a presentation before the second race on Saturday in Bossier City, Louisiana.