Parker begins moonlighting at Presque Isle

Fans might have noticed jockey Deshawn Parker’s name popping up in the Presque Isle program five times Wednesday evening and seven times Thursday evening.

Coming into Wednesday’s card, Parker was third in the nation with 213 wins, 23 behind the leader, Ramon Dominguez. Although Mountaineer Racetrack is the 39-year-old Parker’s home base, he has decided to try different tracks to increase his number of wins this year.

Parker missed a month of racing after a five-horse spill at Mountaineer in early July. A native of Cincinnati, Parker broke two bones in his foot and cracked two ribs in the spill but is eager to again be near the top of the national standings.

“I was right near the top when I got hurt, so being out a month didn’t help,” Parker said.

The goal is to stay near the top of the standings, according to Parker.

“I would like to get back in the top two and then be no worse than in the top five for the year,” he said.

Parker has won 3,200 of his 3,339 races at Mountaineer, but feels it is time to explore other avenues as well.

“My agent and I have been talking to different trainers, trying to find the best spot after the Presque Isle meet and for the winter,” Parker said.

Mountaineer will close in December and stay closed through February of next year. Parker hinted the Oaklawn Park, where he went 10 for 119 in 2009, may be where he ends up in January.