More Top Hispanic Jockeys

Today I continue a look at the top Hispanic jockeys of all-time. Today, I give you a look at Mexican Ismael "Milo" Valenzuela. Valenzuela began working with quarter horses in his young career, but by the late 1950s, he was beginning to make his mark on the thoroughbred scene.

Valenzuela rode such great great horses as Tim Tam and Kelso. Tim Tam won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, while Kelso won 22 of 35 starts.

Valenzuela is part of the National Racing Museum Hall of Fame and won more than 2,500 races in his fine career. Valenzuela is part of a great family of riding, which includes Pat Valenzuela, who is currently riding in Louisiana and has been at top of the sport at various times in his career.

Ismael Valenzuela was a complete rider, he won at the highest levels of the sport and is among one of the top riders of all time. You don't get an assignment to ride a horse like Kelso if you don't have the ability to do so and the confidence and respect of many.

- Felix

Top Hispanic jockeys

Today I start a look at some of the top hispanic old-timer jockeys and some of the current hispanic jockeys, who have made a name for themselves. There is a long and beautiful history of Mexican, Panamanian and other Latin American jockeys and their influence on the Sport of Kings.

One of the greatest jockeys of our time was the gifted Panamaian, Braulio Baeza. he led the U.S. in earnings five times and won the George Woolf Memorial jockey Award in 1968. In his career, Baeza won an impressive 4,013 races, including wins in the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes and the Blue Grass Stakes.

Baeza rode so many great horses, but among the best he rode were Ack Ack, Dr. Fager and Buckpasser.

Baeza was greatly respected for his patient rides and his confidence to perform at the highest level. Many of today's top hispanic riders owe a lot to Baeza. He rode not only here in the United States but in other countries where he fared well.

I never saw Baeza ride live, I was just two years old when he retired, but he certainly made the most of opportunities and helped open the door for many of today's latino jockeys. Baeza is certainly someone to look up to in terms of knowing how to be successful at the best tracks and in the biggest races.

His legacy in the sport will never be forgotten and must be considered to be in the top tier of jockeys of any race, but he's certaily in the top five of any list that rates hispanic jockeys.

Any thoughts?

- Felix

Ring Magazine on Austin Trout

Las Cruces junior middleweight Austin Trout, who is ranked by the World Boxing Association didn't exactly getting a ringing endorsement by Ring Magazine in the July issue.

Trout was given the dubious distinction of being tabbed the most protected in the 154-pound division in the recent state of the game edition of the magazine.

The junior middleweight division features standouts Alfred Angulo, Sergio Martinez and Paul Williams.

- Felix

Former local prep baseball players

Congrats to former Las Cruces area high school baseball players Ryan Honeycutt, Daniel Gonzalez, Steven Flores and Gera Sanchez. The four players are on the University of New Mexico baseball team, which was selected to play in the NCAA Tournament on Monday.

Honeycutt, Gonzalez and Sanchez played key roles on the team this year. Sanchez won a pair of games on the mound, while Honeycutt and Gonzalez were two of the team's top offensive players.

The Lobos will be playing in their first NCAA Tournament since 1962. All three were very good high school players and were high on Lobos coach Ray Birmingham's radar when he took the job with the Lobos.

Got to give all the former area high school kids credit for doing what they had to do to make it happen for the Lobos. And give Birmingham credit for what he's done with UNM. He had a goal of taking UNM to the College World Series and this is another step in the process. And he said he'd do it with New Mexico kids and he has kept his word on that promise as well.

- Felix

All-State Baseball, 3A, 4A, 5A

Class 3A State Baseball teams
First Team
Class 3A
Pitchers
Matt Forsyth, Hope Christian
Colin Friedman, St. Mike's
Jared Gallegos, West Las Vegas
Alex Garcia, Bloomfield
Aaron Ordonez, Cobre
Michael Hernandez, St. Mike's
Outfielders
Matthew Miramontes, Bloomfield
Irving Gomez, Cobre
Catcher
Shane Harmishige, St. Mike's
First Base
Regan Ramos, Cobre
Joel Vega, Hope Christian
Second Base
Nick Nelson, Sandia Prep
Shorstop
Jay Dominguez, Cobre
Michael Eaton, Sandia Prep
Third Base
Aaron Ordonez, Cobre
DH
George Marquez, Raton

Second Team
Pitchers
Alex Kyriakis, Sandia Prep
Michael Chavez, Socorro
Zach Shark, Miyamura
Blake Washburn, Raton
Brian Detrick, Bloomfield
Nick Aragon, Robertson
Gene Chavez, SF Indian
Outfielders
Roberto Martinez, Sandia Prep
Andrew Castanon, Cobre
Ian Sutton, Hope Christian
Jared Gallegos, West Las Vegas
Brennan Day, Sandia Prep
Robert Martinez, Sandia Prep
Girard Martinez, Robertson
First Base
Clay Payne, Bloomfield
Second Base
Alex Garcia, Bloomfield
Charlie Savedra, Socorro
Shorstop
Nick Nelson, Sandia Prep
Michael Archibeque, Bloomfield
Third Base
Nick Aragon, Robertson
Justus Jaramillo, Socorro
Alex Houser, Sandia Prep
DH
Levi Helton
Player of the Year
Alex Garcia, Bloomfield
Coach of the Year
Frank DeHoyos

Class 4A
First Team
Pitchers
Chris Fischer, Moriarty
Jake MaCasland, Piedra Vista
Tim Bailey, Piedra Vista
Eli Freese, Farmington
Deven Nelson, Artesia
Victor Sanchez, Volcano Vista
Outfielders
Steven Contreras, Belen
Max Ruben, Moriarty
Shilo McCall, Piedra Vista
Shane Weedson, Piedra Vista
Steven Pilito, Artesia
Catchers
Morgan McCasland, Piedra Vista
Isaac Aragon, Moriarty
First Base
Jake McCasland, Piedra Vista
Second Base
Keaton Chancellor, Moriarty
Jacob Zunich, Silver
Shorstop
Alex Bregman, Academy
Third Base
Victor Sanchez, Volcano Vista
DH
Robbie Bell, Moriarty
Damion Lovato, Piedra Vista

Second Team
Pitchers
Kevin Piersol, St. Pius
Scott Berkebile, Los Alamos
Quentin Mansfield, Belen
Matt Holona, Belen
Dominic Moreno, Piedra Vista
Joe Chandler, Farmington
Robbie Bell, Moriarty
Jorge Venegas, Valencia
Outfielders
Brycon Campbell, Farmington
Javy Armendariz, Deming
Elliot Hanson, Academy
Lincoln Stanfield, Academy
Cody Donaghe, Artesia
Quintin Rizek, St. Pius
Catchers
Hunter Blaylock, Belen
Chris Lobato, St. Pius
First Base
Javier Sanchez, Farmington
TJ Trujillo, Volcano Vista
Second Base
Scott Wilcox, Farmington
Andre Vigil, Volcano Vista
Tanner Cooper, Piedra Vista
Shortstop
Nick Gonzales, Moriarty
Chris Weaver, Farmington
Tim Bailey, Piedra Vista
Aaron Huerta, Silver
Third Base
Chris Nunez, Goddard
DH
Nick Martinez, St. Pius
Eli Freeze, Farmington
Player of the Year
Jake McCasland, Piedra Vista
Coach of the Year
Mike Magaha, Piedra Vista

Class 5A
First Team
Pitchers
Sam Wilson, Eldorado
Josh Walker, Carlsbad
Josh McCallister, La Cueva
Roby Romero, Onate
Kaleb Nelson, Hobbs

Outfielders
Joe Sena, Rio Rancho
Sam Wilson, Eldorado
Ryan Padilla, La Cueva

Catchers
Blake Swihart, Cleveland

First Base
Nate Ross, La Cueva
Ben Matheson, Rio Rancho

Second Base
Bobby Blackstone, Eldorado

Shorstop
Kris Martinez, Rio Rancho

Third Base
Robert Gunther, Sandia

DH
Wes Koerper, Onate

Second Team
Pitchers
Brulio Hernandez, Albuquerque High
Chris Lee, Las Cruces High
Nicasio Sanchez, Sandia
Thomas Lee Mares, Manzano
Ryan Padilla, La Cueva
Angel Sanchez, Hobbs

Outfielers
Aaron Sandoval, Onate
Austin Bertola, Hobbs
Josh Walker, Rio Rancho

Catchers
Andrew Castillo, Carlsbad
Ethan McCranie, Rio Rancho

First Base
John Cachora, Onate
Kameron McLLroy, Hobbs

Second Base
Nathan Paz, Las Cruces

Shorstop
Jason Sandoval, Onate
Matt Smith, La Cueva
Matt Chavarria, Carlsbad

Third Base
Anthony Boyle, Hobbs

DH
Zach Cogan, La Cueva

Co-Player of the Year
Sam Wilson, Eldorado
Josh Walker, Rio Rancho

Coach of the Year
Jim Johns, Eldorado

Softball All-State, 4A/5A

Class 5A
1st Team
Pitcher
Kelsey Stevens, La Cueva
Alberta Medina, Las Cruces High
Catcher
Val Swedburg, Cibola
First Baseman
Jillian Navarette, Carlsbad
Second Baseman
Shelby Lucero, La Cueva
Kuuleiokealoah Vonshriltz, Las Cruces
Third Baseman
Shelby Pendley, Rio Rancho
Shortstop
Lizzy Castro Carlsbad
Outfield
Courtney Williams, Carlsbad
Alexis Dotson, Las Cruces
Stephanie Haft, La Cueva

Second Team
Pitcher
Sandra Serna, Sandia
Nicole Pendley, Rio Rancho

Catcher
Kely Munoz, Carlsbad
First Baseman
Shannon Garcia, Rio Rancho
Second Baseman
Stephanie Dunham, Rio Rancho
Third Baseman
Ty Ramirez, Carlsbad
Shortstop
Jessie Roane, Rio Rancho
Outfield
Christen Miller, Rio Rancho
Lara VanEver, Sandia
Brianna Chavez, Rio Rancho

Class 4A
1st Team
Pitcher
Karysta Donisthorpe, Piedra Vista
Katera Eltsosie, Volanco Vista
Catcher
Aurelia Sandoval, Piedra Vista
First Baseman
Rachael Ward, Piedra Vista
Second Baseman
Marissa Ellis, Piedra Vista
Third Baseman
Jordan Ensign, Piedra Vista
Shortstop
Sheasia Yazzie, Piedra Vista
Outfield
Meriel Parrish, Piedra Vista
Ashton Martinez, Farmington
Haley Thompson, Farmington

Second Team
Pitcher
Annamarie Rascon, Silver City
Naisha Nackai, Kirtland Central
Catcher
Erika Gonzales, Farmington
First Baseman
Tansi Rudder, Aztec
Second Baseman
Kylnn Beall, Farmington
Third Baseman
Shaylynn Brown, Volcano Vista
Shorstop
Robin Randall, Farmington
Outfield
Brittany Sofka, Piedra Vista
Ally Hakeem, St. Pius
Addie Woods, Aztec

Ruidoso Futurity Qualifiers

The 10 qualifiers for the June 13, 350-yard Ruidoso Futurity at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino

1. American Runaway 17.138
2. Royally Sandra 17.455
3. Fredona 17.460
4. Unanchored 17.468
5. Absolut Treasure 17.487
6. Treason 17.510
7. No Dice Special 17.513
8. Bodacious Dash 17.590
9. Legendary Express 17.601
10. Brimmin To Pass 17.606

Of note, both American Runaway and Royally Sandra were very, very impressive in the trials. American Runaway shipped in from Remington Park in Oklahoma and won his trial very easily. Royally Sandra did her work over a less than stellar track. She had to win over a sloppy track after a downpour midway through the 19 trials. She could be the favorite on June 13. West Texas Futurity winner No Dice Special earned a spot in the June 13 final as did Treason, who was very good in his first career start for trainer Michael Joiner.