Finalists announced for George Woolf Award

Jockeys Jon Court, Victor Espinoza, Robert Gonzalez, Aaron Gryder and Mario

Pino are the five finalists for the prestigious George Woolf Memorial Jockey

Award. These riders will appear on a ballot that will distributed to jockeys

nationwide.

The award, named for the legendary Hall of Fame jockey George "The Iceman"

Woolf, has been presented annually since 1950 by Santa Anita. It honors jockeys

whose career and personal character have withstood the personal and professional

challenges inherent in Thoroughbred racing.

"I think (Santa Anita founder) Dr. Strub would be very proud of the fact that

Santa Anita has maintained the high standards and integrity befitting this award

over these many years," Santa Anita President Ron Charles said. "This award has

always been synonymous with class and the very best racing has to offer. We are

extremely proud to be hosting and presenting the Woolf Award for the 57th time

this spring and we're equally as proud that it will forever by synonymous with

Santa Anita Park."

A statue of George Woolf, who died following a spill at Santa Anita on

January 3, 1946, is on display in the garden paddock at Santa Anita, as is a

life-size sculpture of Seabiscuit, whom Woolf rode to victories in the Pimlico

Special and Hollywood Gold Cup.

Members of the media originally voted on the award, but jockeys

themselves now decide the winner.

The Woolf Award will be presented in either late March or early April.