Parker, Quinones celebrate their Woolf Awards

After Sunday’s ceremony for the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award at Santa Anita, honorees Deshawn Parker and Luis Quinones returned to their Midwest homes.

Parker, honored as the 2021 recipient, was back riding at Indiana Grand, where he had a winner on Tuesday. Quinones, the 2020 recipient, resumed physical therapy with the hope of a return to riding in early 2022, more than 18 mounts after being injured in a spill.

“I broke both hips, my pelvis, five vertebrae,” Quinones said on Sunday. “Everything is pretty good except the vertebrae.”

Quinones, 42 said his current exercises focus on “physical therapy, aquatic therapy, and yoga.”

He said he is six to eight months away from a return.

“I feel a lot better,” Quinones said. “I’ve got to be 100 percent.”

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Parker, 50 and Quinones, friends and riding colleagues, were honored in the same ceremony. Santa Anita did not hold a 2020 ceremony because of the pandemic.

“It’s a huge accomplishment,” Quinones said. “I’m grateful to win the award.”

The Woolf Award honors a jockey’s career achievements and personal character.

Parker dedicated his award to his late father, Daryl, an Ohio racing official.

“I wish he was here because he was a big part of my life,” DeShawn Parker said. “I feel very special that the riders thought of me to give me this award.”