Worthy rider gets Canadian honor

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Jockey Richard Dos Ramos, who is in the midst of his 22nd campaign on the Ontario circuit, is this year's recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award. The Gomez award is given to a jockey who is Canadian born, Canadian raised, or has been a regular rider in the country for more than five years and has made significant contributions to the sport. The 39-year-old Dos Ramos, who was born in Trinidad, was back-to-back winner of Sovereign Awards as Canada's outstanding apprentice, in 1981 and 1982.

Heading into this week, Dos Ramos had ridden 1,788 winners for purse money of almost $40 million. His most famous successes came in the 1992 Molson Export Million with Benburb and in the 1999 Canadian International with Thornfield.

Dos Ramos will be honored in a ceremony at Woodbine June 8.

Avelino Gomez died from injuries suffered during a three-horse accident in the 1980 Canadian Oaks.