Whitley inducted into Finger Lakes Hall of Fame

Retired rider Kevin Whitley was inducted into the Finger Lakes Hall of Fame on Monday by the local division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. Whitley, 60, was on hand for the day’s races and honored at a dinner in the evening.

Whitley won or shared nine riding titles at Finger Lakes between 1981 and 1992. He led the standings for five consecutive years from 1986-90.

A native of Queens, N.Y., Whitley won more than 3,200 races during his career, including 2,617 at Finger Lakes. On Aug. 27, 1989, Whitley won six races at Finger Lakes, capped by Packett’s Landing’s victory in the $200,000 New York Derby.

Whitley is only the third rider inducted into the Finger Lakes Hall of Fame. The others are Leslie Hulet, six titles between 1977 and 1985, and Jose Olivares, six titles between 1964 and 1970.