George Woolf Finalists Announced

Jockeys James Graham, Mike Luzzi, Leslie Mawing, Corey Nakatani and the recently retired Rosie Napravnik have been announced as the 2015 finalists for the prestigious Santa Anita George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award. The winner will be announced on HRTV in February following a vote of jockeys nationwide. The award recognizes those riders whose careers and personal character earn esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred racing. The winner’s trophy is a replica of the life-sized statue of legendary jockey George Woolf, which adorns Santa Anita’s Paddock Gardens area. Woolf, who tragically died following a spill on Santa Anita’s clubhouse turn Jan. 3, 1946, was regarded as one of the top jockeys of his era. 

A 35-year-old native of Dublin, Ireland, Graham has established himself as one of the top jockeys in the Midwest. A two-time leading rider at Arlington Park, Graham has consistently been among the leaders at the Chicago area track dating back to 2004. Graham won his first Grade I at Keeneland in 2011 aboard Hot Cha Cha (Cactus Ridge) in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. 

America’s Eclipse Award-winning apprentice jockey in 1988, Luzzi has enjoyed a successful career riding 3,420 winners. A 45-year-old native of Wilmington, Delaware, Luzzi grew up near Delaware Park and was raised in-part by his grandfather, legendary trainer Buddy Raines. Luzzi is a two-time winner of the prestigious Mike Venezia Memorial Award. 

Johannesburg, South Africa, native Mawing became a jockey in the United States, breaking his maiden at age 20 at Les Boise Park in Boise, Idaho, in 1994. Currently ensconced at Golden Gate Fields near San Francisco, Mawing has become a force at Emerald Downs, near Seattle. 

Long-time leading rider Nakatani has guided home 3,748 winners, including multiple riding titles and 10 Breeders’ Cup wins. The California native began working with horses at age 16 and broke his maiden with his very first mount at Agua Caliente, Mexico, in April, 1988. Del Mar’s second leading all-time stakes rider, Nakatani has won 10 Southern California riding titles. 

Following her win aboard Untapable (Tapit) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Napravnik stunned the racing world by announcing her retirement to begin a family on live television. Often compared to retired Hall of Famer Julie Krone, the 26-year-old began riding at age 17 in Maryland and retires with 1,878 wins from 9,715 mounts. Her major stakes wins include two Breeders’ Cup victories and two triumphs in the GI Kentucky Oaks.