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DeShawn Parker Honored With 2021 George Woolf Memorial Award

DeShawn Parker, the five foot, 10 inch jockey who in 2010 became the first African American rider since 1895 to lead all American jockeys in races won, can now add another coveted achievement to what has been an incredible career, as he has been selected by a vote of jockeys nationwide as the winner of the 2021 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award.

Presented annually by Santa Anita since 1950, the Woolf Award can only be won once. One of the most prestigious awards in all of racing and named for the legendary late Hall of Fame jockey who gained national fame when an estimated radio audience of 40 million tuned in as he piloted Seabiscuit to victory over Triple Crown Champ War Admiral in a match race at Pimlico Race Course on Nov. 1, 1938, the Woolf Award recognizes those riders whose careers and personal character garner esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred racing.

The Woolf Trophy is a replica of the life-sized statue of the legendary George Woolf which adorns Santa Anita's Paddock Gardens area.

A Cincinnati, Ohio native, Parker, 50, outpolled four other Woolf finalists, Alex Birzer, Jorge Martin Bourdieu, Kendrick Carmouche and Aaron Gryder, all of whom have plied their trade with notable distinction at tracks throughout North America.

The 2021 Woolf Award win comes on the heels of the passing of Parker's mentor and father, Daryl Parker. A longtime highly respected Ohio racing steward, Parker passed away from cancer in Cincinnati on March 4.

“My idol, my best friend and a great father!” Parker tweeted on March 5. “He meant so much to my life and my career. I can only hope to be as great as he was. I'm going to miss my Dad so much, but I know he's in a better place with no pain and living his life to the fullest up there, hanging with friends and family and talking up a storm!”

In a sport comprised of much smaller athletes, Parker has long “stood out,” but his character, ability and work ethic are factors that have far out-run initial perceptions that perhaps he was too big to be a jockey. America's leading rider with 377 wins in 2010, he came back to lead all jockeys again in 2011 with 400 trips to the Winner's Circle.

Born Jan. 8, 1971, Parker was a perennial leading rider at Mountaineer Park in West Virginia for more than 20 years. Parker, who through March 16, had 5,841 career wins, has also enjoyed considerable success at Indiana Grand, leading all riders in 2020 and at Sam Houston Race Park, where he was their leading rider in 2015.

Married with two children, Parker lives in East Liverpool, Ohio. The 2020 Woolf Award was won by Luis M. Quinones and DeShawn Parker will thus become the 72nd jockey, dating back to Gordon Glisson in 1950, to be so honored.

Due to uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 restrictions, the 2021 Woolf Award ceremony will be conducted at a date to-be-determined.

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Former Racing Executive Brant Latta, 60, Passes

Joseph Brant Latta, age 60, of Fort Smith, Ark., peacefully departed this life on March 15, 2021. Brant was born on June 14, 1960, in Oklahoma City, Okla.

After earning his accounting degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Brant went on to study racetrack management at The University of Arizona. His horse racing career eventually brought him to Longacres Racetrack in Seattle, Wash., where he met his wife, Heather. When Longacres closed Brant became the general manager at Yakima Meadows for two years in Yakima, Wash. Brant went on to manage Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Ariz., and later, he became the general manager of Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

In the last part of his racing career, he acted as chief operating officer for Magna Entertainment and worked closely with Magna's numerous tracks around the country. Brant was longing to spend more time with his family, so in 2008, he retired from the racing industry and opened an insurance agency that he owned until his passing.

Brant was loved for his quick wit, his extraordinary sense of humor, and his devotion to living his life to the fullest. He enjoyed playing golf with his daughter, visiting the casino with his son, spending time with his eight brothers and sisters, playing poker with his posse, and having an after-work cigar at Winston's while visiting and laughing with his friends. He also loved sitting outside on his porch, and anyone who was lucky enough to be invited to “Porchin' with Brant” was guaranteed some truly unforgettable entertainment.

Brant was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Ronald and Rose Latta. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Heather Latta; his daughter, Claire Rose Latta, and her fiancé, Chris Eckes; his son, Brayden Latta; his sister Alicia Burks; his sister Ann Borengasser and her husband, Jim; his brother Ty Latta; his brother Kevin Latta and his wife, Kelly; his sister Theresa Little and her husband, Tony; his sister Angela Knutzen and her husband, Steve; his brother Todd Latta and his wife, Sara; his sister Kerry Roller and her husband, Terry; many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 20, at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Barling, Ark. Interment of ashes will be private and for family only. Honorary pallbearers will be Ty Latta, Kevin Latta, Todd Latta, Jim Borengasser, Tony Little, Steve Knutzen, and Terry Roller.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1301 Frank Street, Barling, AR, 72923 or The American Stroke Association at www.stroke.org. To leave online condolences, please visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.

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Irad Ortiz Bobblehead Promotion Brings In $22K For PDJF

Jockeys and Jeans in conjunction with Uncle Louie G's Italian Ices, an onsite Gulfstream Park vendor, raised over $22,000 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund Saturday March 13 through sales of the masked Irad Ortiz bobbleheads at the track and online.

Ortiz personally signed hundreds of the bubbleheads and Klaravich Stables, whose colors the bobblehead wears, made a substantial donation.

“To say this promotion was a success would be an understatement,” said Jockey and Jeans President, Barry Pearl. “Irad Ortiz is not only a champion rider but a first-class guy who truly cares about his fallen brothers and sisters. He spent a lot of time with us preparing for this event. And the entire team at Gulfstream Park really came through for us as they have in the past, and we know they will in the future.”

Jockeys and Jean Committee member Kenny Katz, who owns Uncle Louie G's Italian ices which sells at the track, birthed the idea and worked closely with track staff to make it a success. Last year he also oversaw the Tyler Gaffalione Bobblehead sale at the same track.

“I'm always amazed and truly touched when racing fans everywhere spend their hard-earned money to help disabled former jockeys,” said Katz.

Pearl and committee member Leah Whitsell, along with paraplegic former jockey Roger Blanco, were also on hand.

“I want to thank all who helped and especially every one of those many hundreds who purchased a bobblehead,” said Pearl. “We are still getting orders from around the world.”

You can still order a Irad Ortiz bobblehead at JockeysandJeans.com

Jockeys and Jeans was founded in late 2014 by five former jockeys, and the all-volunteer group has since raised over $1.6 million for the PDJF, which makes monthly payments to over 60 former jockeys who suffered career ending racing injuries.

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Equine Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Brophy, 66, Passes

Kevin Lewis Brophy, 66, passed away on March 1, 2021, in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The son of the late John A. Brophy and Gladys (Lewis) Brophy, Dr. Brophy was a distinguished doctor of equine veterinarian medicine for more than three decades and considered preeminent in the field of equine lameness. He achieved an undergraduate degree at Pennsylvania State University and then continued his education at the University of Florida-Gainesville obtaining both Master's and Doctoral degrees there. His practice spanned many states including Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland.

In addition to his veterinarian practice, as an entrepreneur Dr. Brophy developed and owned a successful distribution company, ABBA Vet Supply, for many years. He was a nature enthusiast and had a lifetime passion for learning. His kind and giving heart was central to how he treated his clients, both human and four legged, as well as those that he considered family and friends. Despite the competitiveness in the field of performance horse equine medicine Dr. Brophy kept the horses' well-being his first priority.

Dr. Brophy is survived by his two children, John G. Brophy and Ella R. Brophy, and three siblings: Robert P. Brophy of Hershey, Pa., Nancy B. Oberreit of Yardley, Pa., and Karen B. Ebert of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., his twin; as well as four nephews and five nieces, seven grandnieces and nephews and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his brother Ronald A. Brophy.

Cremation occurred, and a Celebration of Life will be scheduled for a later date.

As Kevin was a true lover of all animals, donations to Funny Farm Rescue and Sanctuary, 6908 Railroad Blvd., Mays Landing, NJ 08330 would be appropriate and appreciated by his family or another charity of one's choice.

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