Venezia Memorial Award finalists announced

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jockeys Junior Alvarado, Julien Leparoux, Deshawn Parker, Gerard Melancon, and Scott Stevens are the finalists for the Mike Venezia Memorial Award, the New York Racing Association announced Sunday.

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

In a departure from past years, the award will be voted on by jockeys, not fans. The award will be presented at Saratoga on Sept. 2.