Page 5 - July 2005 The Game

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper The Game, July 2005 5
Krasner presented with 2005 Avelino Gomez Award
Terming it the greatest honour in his distinguished career, former jockey Sam Krasner received the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award in a ceremony on June 12 at Woodbine.
Krasner, who enjoyed several memorable moments during his time in the saddle, including five B.C. Derby crowns, was flanked by family, friends and fellow riders on Labatt Woodbine Oaks Day, as Jacqui Gomez, daughter of Avelino Gomez, presented the statue to the man who won 3,136 career races.
"I would like to thank Woodbine for all the effort they put into this award every year," said Gomez. "It's my pleasure and honour to present this year's award to Mr. Krasner."
The Gomez honour is awarded annually to the person, Canadian-born, Canadian-raised, or regular rider in the country for more than five years, who has made significant contributions to the sport.
“I would like to thank everybody for this award, it's beautiful,” said Krasner, the 21st rider to receive the award, adding, “This is a tremendous award and I can't say enough about receiving it.”
A former high school gymnast, the Atlanta-born Krasner, who arrived at Vancouver's Exhibition Park (now Hastings) in 1975, never competed against Gomez.
It is one of few regrets he has in terms of his riding tenure.
“Avelino's name is synonymous with racing," said Krasner, "I rode for 33 years, but I never thought I'd receive anything like this. To me, it's like a life- time achievement award."
The award is presented in memory of Gomez, one of North America’s most prolific and personable jockeys. Gomez, or “El Perfecto” as he was known by racing fans, died of complications after a three-horse accident during the running of the Canadian Oaks in 1980.
A life-size statue of the Cuban-born Gomez, who settled in Toronto and raised a family in the city, proudly holds court above the Woodbine walking ring. A replica is presented to each year’s winner.
“I'd like to thank everybody in Vancouver that has ever helped me," said Krasner. "It's a tremendous place to race."
Krasner joins Ron Turcotte, the late John Longden, Sandy Hawley, the late Don MacBeth, the late Chris Rogers, Jeff Fell, Lloyd Duffy, Hugo Dittfach, Robin Platts, Larry Attard, Don Seymour, David Gall, Richard Grubb, Irwin Driedger, David Clark, James McKnight, Chris Loseth, Richard Dos Ramos, Robert Landry and Francine Villeneuve, last year’s recipient, as Gomez honourees.
MOBIL
ONE FOR ROSE A BIT O’GOLD SIMPLY LOVELY
2004 Champion Older Male 2004 Champion Older Female 2004 Champion 3-Year-Old Male 2004 Champion 2-Year-Old Filly
rna
purchased for $15,000 purchased for $60,000 purchased for $90,000
$1,507,924 earned $1,047,243 earned $1,290,819 earned $ 288,240 earned
MICHAEL BURNS PHOTO LTD.
2005 Selected and Preferred Yearling Sale
Selected Session ~ September 6th, 2005 | Preferred Yearling Sessions ~ September 9th & 10th, 2005
at Woodbine Racetrack
For further information contact: The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division)
P.O. Box 172, Rexdale, Ontario, M9W 5L1 • Phone (416) 675-3602 • Fax (416) 675-9405 Email: cthsont@idirect.com • Website: www.cthsont.com
Former Jockey Sam Krasner and his wife, BC Trainer Cindy Krasner, visited Woodbine for the day when Sam received the 2005 Avelino Gomez Award.
Did You Know...
That the first crop of foals
by the stallion Kinshasa (Mr. Prospector - Daijin, by Deputy Minister) are yearlings of 2005.
Seven of his yearlings have been accepted into the CTHS
Selected Yearling Sale in Toronto this September
including a filly out of stakes winner Wiry Willie,
offered
by Hill ‘N’ Dale Farms.
FOUR of NINE
Canadian Champions purchased at this sale.