Venezia Award finalists announced

ELMONT, N.Y. – Javier Castellano, Florent Geroux, Irad Ortiz Jr., Jose Ortiz, and Ricardo Santana Jr. are the finalists for the 2019 Mike Venezia Memorial Award, the New York Racing Association announced Monday.

The Venezia Award is given to a jockey who displays extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship. The award is named after Venezia, who died as the result of injuries suffered in a spill here in 1988.

The award is determined by fans, who can vote online at NYRA.com/Venezia.

Voting is open now through May 20. The winner will be announced May 23 and the award presentation will be made on May 27.