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Jockeys Archive

The Journeyman

Larry Lee Palmer profiles jockey Victor Mercado, injured on Labor Day in an accident at Emerald Downs (Post-Intelligencer):

“Que pasa?” Victor would ask, “How’s it going?” His heroes would nod, stop and joke.

But Victor Mercado never hit the big time. Few do. Maybe his English wasn’t very good. Maybe he never got the right agent, or found a trainer with faith and a long string of horses.

So, like many in his trade, Victor Mercado became a journeyman. He worked anywhere he could get mounts. Soon he had a family. He had obligations. He worked bullrings and county fairs up and down the West Coast. He rode at Tillamook and Walla Walla, Dayton and Kennewick, Playfair and Portland Meadows, even Prescott and Turf Paradise in Arizona when the season turned.

His best years were at Longacres. He was among the top 10 riders for years. The stat sheet says he ranks 26th in victories on a racetrack that doesn’t exist anymore.

Mercado may not ride again. A fund for his support has been started. To donate, send contributions to the Victor Mercado Relief Fund, Washington Mutual, 24A Street, Auburn WA 98002, or call 253-833-8700.

Posted in Jockeys on September 21, 2005

Apprentice Paralyzed

Charles Town apprentice Shannon Campbell was paralyzed from the waist down in an accident on Saturday night (Daily Racing Form). It was an accident at another West Virginia track last year that left jockey Gary Birzer paralyzed and sparked the jockeys’ insurance dispute last fall, which resulted in several tracks raising jockeys’ insurance coverage to $1 million. Charles Town, amazingly, wasn’t among that group. Its insurance remains capped at ~~$100,000~~ $50,000. Campbell’s colleagues will be meeting with Jockeys’ Guild representatives to discuss setting up a fund to cover her medical bills.

Posted in Jockeys on July 13, 2005

P Val’s Pants Sell

With less than half an hour remaining in the auction, a bidder named myenemiescallmecollect swooped in to buy ad space on jockey Patrick Valenzuela’s pants and collar. (eBay)

Posted in Jockeys on March 25, 2005

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