David Flores Will Ride Speedy Bob Black Jack in Vernon O. Underwood

David Flores, recently nominated for this year's prestigious George Woolf Award, has the call on Bob Black Jack in the 28th running of the Grade 3 Vernon O. Underwood Stakes at Hollywood Park on Saturday. Bob Black Jack, who established a world record of 1:06.53 for six furlongs at Santa Anita in January, returns to the races to face older horses at his record distance.

Bob Black Jack, a son of Stormy Jack, finished third in the San Felipe, then second to Colonel John in the Santa Anita Derby, earning a trip to the Kentucky Derby, where he set the pace before tiring to finish 16th. Trained by Jim Kasparoff for owners Jeff Harmon and Tim Kasparoff, Bob Black Jack has won 3 of 8 starts for earnings of $442,925.

Flores was among five finalists for the 2009 Woolf Award announced by Santa Anita Park yesterday. He has long been regarded as one of Southern California's top jockeys and is known for a level temperament and coolness under fire. A native of Mexico, Flores won his first race at Agua Caliente racetrack on March 5, 1984. He has won more than 3,180 races including three Breeders' Cup races. Flores believes in giving back to his community and hosts his own golf tournament each summer at Del Mar to raise funds for the charity "Orphans of Tijuana."

Here's the complete field for Saturday's feature:

Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3)
November 22, $100,000, 3yo & up, 6f, Hollywood Park, 3:35 PM PT

PP Horse              Sire            Jockey          Wt.  Trainer
1. Wiredfortwotwenty  Greatness       Joseph Talamo   116  Brian Koriner
2. Six Pack Abs       Forest Wildcat  Tyler Baze      118  John Sadler
3. Noble Court        Doneraile Court Mike E. Smith   122  John Sadler
4. Master Daniel      Broken Vow      Rafael Bejarano 114  Doug O’Neill
5. Bob Black Jack     Stormy Jack     David Flores    122  James Kasparoff
6. Johnny Eves        Skimming        Garrett Gomez   122  Jay Robbins
7. Northern Soldier   Yankee Victor   Aaron Gryder    118  Brian Koriner

George Woolf Jockey Award Finalists Named

Santa Anita Park today announced a list of five finalists for the 2009 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award. Jockeys named were Gary Baze, Calvin Borel, Javier Castellano, David Flores and John Velazquez. The nominees will be judged by their peers, with the winner being announced in January.

The Woolf Award has been presented annually by Santa Anita since 1950 to a North American jockey who demonstrates high standards of personal and professional conduct both on and off the racetrack. The trophy is a replica of a full-size bronze statue of George Woolf that stands in the paddock at Santa Anita Park. Woolf, who was revered by his fellow riders for his riding ability, competitiveness, and professionalism, died at the age of 35 following a spill at Santa Anita.

Known as "The Iceman" becuase of his renowned cool and patience while waiting for his horse to make the right move in a race, George Woolf was one of the premier jockeys of his era. In 1935, he made history when he rode Azucar to victory in the Santa Anita Handicap - the first horse race worth $100,000.

The Woolf Award will be presented during the Santa Anita Winter/Spring meeting, which runs from Dec. 26, 2008 through Apr. 19, 2009.

Santa Anita's Historic Decorative Frieze

One of the most recognizable architectural details of beautiful Santa Anita Park is the famous frieze of white running horses that adorns the back of the stands in a perfect flow. The frieze complements the art-deco style created by architect Gordon Kaufman in the 1930's.


A little-known aspect of the frieze is that, in one of the panels, a jockey is depicted falling off a horse (see photo below). It is said that the falllen jockey was meant to depict the great George Woolf, who died at the age of 35 following a spill at Santa Anita.

During the running of the fourth race on January 3, 1946, Woolf fell from his horse as they rounded the clubhouse turn, suffering a concussion. He was taken to St. Luke's Hospital in Pasadena, where he died the next day. George Woolf was a diabetic, and it was generally believed that he suffered a diabetic fainting spell before falling from his mount.

Known as "The Iceman" becuase of his renowned cool and patience while waiting for his horse to make the right move in a race, George Woolf was one of the premier jockeys of his era. In 1935, he made history when he rode Azucar to victory in the Santa Anita Handicap - the first horse race worth $100,000.

When asked what was the best racehorse he ever rode, George Woolf answered immediately, "Seabiscuit." In the 2003 film, Seabiscuit, jockey Gary Stevens played the famed Woolf. Stevens was the 1996 recipient of the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, an award that has been given annually since 1950 to a North American jockey who demonstrates high standards of personal and professional conduct both on and off the racetrack.

A bronze statue of George Woolf was erected in his honor, and stands in the paddock at Santa Anita Park. A photo of the statue is shown below.



The Iceman's Derby
George Woolf bought a restaurant on Huntington Drive in Arcadia, in 1938, and renamed it in honor of the Kentucky Derby. He promptly decorated the walls of "The Derby" with racing memorabilia, most of which remains to be enjoyed by patrons at The Derby today. Woolf lived on the second floor above the restaurant, and many believe that his ghost haunts the restaurant.