Prado honored with Venezia Award

Jockey Edgar Prado has been named the winner of the 2006 Mike Venezia Award,

the New York Racing Association announced Friday. Honoring riders who "exemplify

extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship," the award is presented in memory

of Mike Venezia, who was killed in a spill at Belmont Park on October 13, 1988.

Prado won the award based on the votes of fellow jockeys, turf writers and an

online vote by fans. The other finalists were Mark Guidry, winner of the George

Woolf Award earlier this year, and Calvin Borel, who recently captured the

Stephen Foster H. (G1) aboard longshot Seek Gold (Touch Gold).

Perennially among the nation's leading riders, Prado is deeply involved with

Belmont Park's Child Day Care Center, "Anna House," that provides care for the

children of backstretch workers.

A 39-year-old native of Lima, Peru, Prado piloted Barbaro (Dynaformer) to his

brilliant 6 1/2-length victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and was widely

commended for pulling up the stricken colt quickly when he broke down in the

Preakness S. (G1). Prado has also landed two runnings of the Belmont S. (G1), in

2002 with Sarava and in 2004 with Birdstone.

The Venezia Award will be formally presented to Prado at a date to be

announced during the Belmont Fall Championship Meet.