JOCKEYS
Omar Camejo
Age: 36
Hometown: Havana, Cuba
First Mount: Calder (2000)
First FL Mount: 2005
Camejo arrived in the U.S. from Cuba in 1999 through a lottery style system. He was the top apprentice during the 2001 Calder summer meet. Camejo gained popularity in the local media for his courage after recovering from a career threatening spill that occurred on July 19, 2005. He was aboard Finger Lakes “Hall of Fame” member Tin Cup Chalice during his 2-year-old campaign in 2007.
Dean Frates
Age: 43
Hometown: Mattapoisett, Massachusetts
First Mount Rockingham Park
First FL Mount: 1992
Frates won two consecutive Niagara Stakes with Double the Debt in 2000 and We’ll Sea Ya in 2001. In 2004, Frates guided 59-1 longshot Don Corleone to the biggest upset in the history of the New York Derby.
John Grabowski
Age: 50
Hometown: Coalinga, California
Grabowski won the Finger Lakes jockey title six times in his career. His 233 victories in 2000 and nine stakes victories in 2001 are Finger Lakes single season records. He earned his 3000th victory in 2007 and is currently second to Les Hulet for most visits to the Finger Lakes winners circle.
After a very successful career, John retired in 2012. He is currently a trainer at his home track.
Paul Nicol, Jr.
Age: 50
Hometown: Coalinga, California
Grabowski won the Finger Lakes jockey title six times in his career. His 233 victories in 2000 and nine stakes victories in 2001 are Finger Lakes single season records. He earned his 3000th victory in 2007 and is currently second to Les Hulet for most visits to the Finger Lakes winners circle.
Pedro Rodriguez
Age: 44
Hometown: Cuba
First Mount: 1985
Rodriguez was aboard 2008 “Horse of the Year” Tin Cup Chalice when he became the first horse ever to sweep all three legs of the Big Apple Triple. He also won the Grade 2 $514,100 Indiana Derby at Hoosier Park with the $868,680 earner on October 4, 2008. Rodriguez was inducted into the Calder Hall of Fame in 2005.
Joel Sone
Age: 38
Hometown: Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic
First Mount: Dominican Republic (1992)
Sone is the only active Finger Lakes jockey from the Dominican Republic. He is also considered to be a very talented cook.
Gabriel Suarez
Age: 27
Hometown: Carolina, Puerto Rico
First Mount: Puerto Rico
First Finger Lakes Mount: 2002
Suarez guided 2009 “Horse of the Year” Mr. Windjammer to all four of his stakes wins. He has earned the distinction of being the Finger Lakes’ fastest rider after taking the annual jockey footrace four consecutive years.
TRAINERS
Oscar Barrera, Jr.
Began Training: 1980 @ NYRA circuit
Career Highlights: Trainer of 2003 Finger Lakes “Horse of the Year” Perty Number.
Tri Ocala, Satch and The Young Squire, who won seven race in one meet at Gulfstream Park.
Did You Know? Father Oscar Barrera Sr. was leading trainer at NYRA for eight consecutive years. Uncle Laz Barrera trained Affirmed, the last Triple Crown winner in 1978.
Chris Englehart
Began training: 1973 @ Finger Lakes
Career Highlights: Finger Lakes trainer titles in 1985, 1987, and every year since 2003. Earned career win number 3,000 on August 19, 2011. Trained Frattare – In 1989 became the only locally based horse to ever win the Grade III Finger Lakes Budweiser Breeders’ Cup.
Michael Lecesse
Began Training: 1978 @ Finger Lakes
Career highlights: Trained Tin Cup chalice who in 2008 became the first horse ever to sweep all three legs of the Big Apple Triple. Other notable horses from his barn include: Missionary Monk, Houston Pro, Seattle Schifty, and Sindbad the Sailor. LeCesse saddled his 1,000th winner on June 16, 2011.
James T. Wright
Began Training: 1977 @ Finger Lakes
Career highlights: Attained his first stakes win on August 22, 1998 when filly Cherokee Reef defeated male rivals in the $30,000 Wadsworth Memorial Handicap at Finger Lakes. Wright was also the conditioner of Vasilios who won 21 races with his deep closing style. Wright notched his 1,000th career win with Forever Beauty on May 17, 2009.
Charlton Baker
Began Training: 1997 @ Finger Lakes
Career highlights: Trained multiple stakes winners Runaway Tiger, Top Shoter, Johnie Bye Night. Top Shoter named FL Horse of the Year. Baker notched the 1,000th win of his career on May 21, 2011 with Boston Chief
M. Anthony Ferraro
Began Training: 1984 @ Finger Lakes and won with first horse saddled like his father
Career highlights: Two training titles (1998 / 2000) – tied with father both years. Reached 1,000 win milestone 10/21/05. Trained Shesastonecoldfox, a multiple stakes winner and Breeders’ Cup participant.
Michael S. Ferraro
Began Training: 1971 @ Fort Erie
Career Highlights: Owns 18 Finger Lakes training titles. Reached 2,000 win milestone 11/23/03.Trained Fio Rito who won 1981 Whitney Handicap (Grade 1) and is considered the best horse to run at Finger Lakes, winning 28 races in his career.
Jonathan Buckley
Began Training: 1976 @ Green Mountain Park
Career Highlights: Trained Sleek’nsilver, a 2-time stakes winner and Belongs to Mony a $310k earner and 16-time winner. Also, Mr. Windjammer who was the Finger Lakes Horse of the Year in 2009.
