GARRETT GOMEZ WINS AIG BILL SHOEMAKER AWARD

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GARRETT GOMEZ WINS AIG BILL SHOEMAKER AWARD AS OUTSTANDING JOCKEY OF BREEDERS’ CUP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

            OCEANPORT, N.J. – Garrett Gomez was named the 2007 recipient of the AIG Bill Shoemaker Award, presented to the outstanding jockey in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Monmouth Park Friday and Saturday, as voted on by the international media covering the event.  It is the second such award for Gomez since it was established in 2003.

            A 35-year-old native of Tucson, Ariz., Gomez rode two winners Saturday in the 24th edition of the Breeders’ Cup at Monmouth Park, guiding Indian Blessing to victory in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and Midnight Lute in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He also finished third aboard Octave in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

            Gomez was presented the Shoemaker Award during the ESPN telecast of the Breeders’ Cup on Saturday.

            Previous Shoemaker Award winners are Alex Solis in 2003 at Santa Anita, John Velazquez in 2004 at Lone Star Park, Gomez in 2005 at Belmont Park, and Frankie Dettori in 2006 at Churchill Downs.

            The two victories increased Gomez’s Breeders’ Cup total to four. His mounts have earned $7,047,750, 13th-best all-time.

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