Riding in front of his hometown crowd, at a track where he’s captured nine titles in a quarter-century career, jockey Rich Migliore reached the 4,000 winner plateau yesterday at Aqueduct, booting home 3-5 favorite Benjamin Baby to win the seventh race by 7½ lengths.

Migliore, 40, a lifelong New Yorker, returned to the winner’s circle to the applause and cheers of his fellow jockeys, friends and family, including wife Carmela, sons Joseph, Philip and Luciano, and daughter Gabrielle Rose. He dedicated the victory to jockey Mike Rowland, who was two wins away from 4,000 when he was killed in a spill at Turfway Park exactly one year ago.

“I recognize how close he came to a fantastic milestone,” the Mig said. “Not only didn’t he get there, but his family lost a real good man.”

An emotional Migliore, who pumped his fist and held up four fingers as he crossed the finish line, also paid tribute to his valet, John Mallano, and to former New York City detective Vinny Carrera, a good friend who passed away this year.

“He kept telling me, ‘I’m going to be there for 4,000.’ I think Vinny is here today,” said Migliore.

Migliore rode two winners yesterday, finally reaching the coveted mark after riding just three winners on the previous eight racing cards.

“It was niggling at me a little,” he said. “You’re riding with this every day, and it is inevitable it’s going to happen, but you put a number on it and it becomes something you want badly, and I wanted it badly.

“I’m proud of the achievement. I started my career here, and all of my stats have been in the major leagues. Nothing is padded. I’m fortunate to ride for good people. You don’t get to 4,000 wins without a lot of help along the way.”