Rider Kubinova to Receive Emerald Downs Award
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Jockey Eliska Kubinova and trainers Alan Bozell and Doris Harwood will receive special awards when Emerald Downs completes its 19th season of Thoroughbred racing over the Sept. 27-28 weekend.
Kubinova is to receive the Lindy Award, named in honor of the legendary clerk of scales Lindy Aliment, while Bozell and Harwood are co-honorees of the Martin Durkan Award, named in honor of the late state senator and longtime proponent for Thoroughbred racing in Washington.
The awards will be presented Saturday and Sunday, as the track honors the season's top equine and human achievements throughout the 73-day meeting.
Voted by the jockeys, the Lindy Award honors accomplishment and sportsmanship throughout the 2014 meeting, at which the 25-year-old Kubinova has ridden 51 winners worth $519,594 in purse earnings.
A native of Jesenik, Czech Republic, Kubinova is one of only two riders with at least 50 wins in each of the last three seasons at Emerald Downs, including a single-season apprentice mark of 76 wins in 2012. Kubinova recently began a leave of absence from riding after announcing her first child is due this winter.
The Martin Durkan Award, chosen by director of racing Bret Anderson and staff, honors trainers that exhibit leadership, cooperation, sportsmanship, and excellence on and off the track throughout the 2014 meet.
Harwood has enjoyed another fine season, conditioning Noosito to three stakes wins and probable honors as the meet's top 3-year-old male. Originally from Kentucky, Harwood, a former jockey, has blossomed the last two decades at Emerald Downs. Her 65 stakes wins rank No. 1 all-time, including a track record 11 stakes wins by Noosa Beach, older brother of Noosito.
A 61-year-old native of Buckley, Wash., Bozell is a popular backstretch figure and has had a career year in 2014, saddling 18 winners from 91 starters and maintaining a .640 in-the-money percentage. Originally from Tacoma, "Boz" is noted for an affable personality and a tremendous worth ethic, owning and exercising most of the runners in his barn.