Page 150 - July2021

NEWS BRIEFS
2021 Remington Park Meet Leaders
Remington Park declared their 2021 meet leaders, with Danjer taking the Horse of the Meet title as well as the Champion Older Male. Danjer (FDD Dynasty-Shez Jess Toxic) is owned by Downtime Enterprises, Billy G. Smith, and Dean Frey, who is also his trainer. Jet Black Grace (Jet Black Patriot-Thrill And Grace) was named Champion 2 Year Old for owner Zitro Racing Corp., trained by Fidencio Jimenez, and ridden by 2021
Remington Park Champion Jockey Juan Pulido. The Champion 3 Year Old title went to Relentlessly (Hes Relentless-Runaway Renata) for owner Aguila Negra Racing and trainer
Jose Huerta. The Champion Older Female
is Cat Daddys Lil Girl (Big Daddy Cartel, Girlonthego), running for Jimmy Negrete
and Jimmy Vazquez and trainer Jason Giles. Wascallywittlewabbit (Heza Motor Scooter- Rabbits N Diamonds) was the Champion Distance Runner for owner Rogers Farms and trainer Michael Joiner. The Champion Paint title went to Smithworks (Painted Turnpike- Shesa Mighty Chick) for owner Bryan Hawk and trainer Matt Whitekiller. Champion Appaloosa Queen For Cash (Hes Relentless QH-Ivory Queen) is owned by Gary Vaughan and trained by Carlos Ruiz. Alotaloa
(Lota PYC-Crazy About Corona) was named the Champion Claiming Horse for owner Whiting Ranch and trainer Delbert McDowell.
Tom Lepic Inducted Into
Prairie Meadows Hall of Fame
Tom Lepic was inducted into the Prairie Meadows Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the track on July 2. Lepic was recognized for his years of contributions to the growth of horse racing at the track and in the state of Iowa. Lepic has been involved in the racing industry for nearly 50 years and is currently President of the Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association. Lepic joined Deb Leech, who has served as President of the Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, and Thoroughbred mare Mywomanfromtokyo, winner of 12 races and $595,276 including nine stakes events, during the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. “Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is a very big honor for me, and I have to give credit to all those who have been with me over the years. The trainers, jockeys, officials, the staff and board of IQHRA, and the staff at Prairie Meadows. Without their support, this honor would not have been possible,” said Lepic.
ment of the industry, and they advocate for their fellow riders. Valazquez is in the Hall of Fame and has won the Eclipse Award. He is one of
the leading jockeys in the world with over 6,000 wins and more than $437 million in earners.
He is the Chairman of the Board for the Jockeys Guild and serves on the board of the PDJF. For more information of Jockeys & Jeans, visit www. jockeysandjeans.com.
Andrea Rodriguez, Orlando Mojica, Sammy Bermudez, Joshua Morales, Jeison Gotay, Owen Morales, Joe Ramos & Edgar Morales
Puerto Rico Wins World Jockey Challenge
At Indiana Grand
Puerto Rico scored their first World Jockey Challenge title at Indiana Grand, besting the
other participating countries to win the seventh annual event on June 24. The entire group of seven jockeys from Puerto Rico contributed to their combined score of 36 points, and included riders Joe Ramos, Sammy Bermudez, Jeison Gotay, Andrea Rodriguez, Orlando Mojica, Joshua Morales and Edgar Morales. Mexico finished second with 25 points, the U.S. in third with
17 points, and Panama fourth with 16 points.
The other countries participating were Chile, Peru, Jamaica and Ireland. Team Puerto Rico was honored with the World Jockey Challenge trophy during a special winner’s circle presentation.
John Velazquez Newest
Jockeys & Jeans Ambassador
John Valazquez has been named the latest Ambassador for Jockeys & Jeans, which hosts charity events for the benefit of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). Ambassadors are well-respected current and former jockeys who have played a significant role in the better-
Ricky Ramirez Riding Part-Time
AQHA 2015 Champion Jockey and 2018 Sam Thompson Memorial Jockey Award winner Ricky Ramirez, 36, plans to step back from riding full-time to a part-time basis in order to pursue business interests in real estate. A na-
tive of Odessa, Texas, Ramirez rode last year’s World Champion Whistle Stop Cafe to victory in the 2020 All American Futurity-G1. He has also ridden World Champion Bodacious Eagle and many other Champions, including Hez
Our Secret, Flying Cowboy 123 and Miss Racy Jess. Ramirez told Felix F. Chavez of the El Paso Times that he had some business interests he would like to pursue and stressed the impor- tance of family. They will now be able to take some vacations and spend more time together. Ramirez is currently the sport’s #6 all-time lead- ing jockey by money earned with more than $40 million in mount earnings.
148 SPEEDHORSE July 2021
Coady Photography