by Mike Curry
Veteran jockey Richard Migliore was named the winner of the 2008 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award on Saturday at Santa Anita Park.
The Woolf Award, now in its 58th year, memorializes the jockey known as "The Iceman," who died in a spill at Santa Anita in 1946. The award, voted on by jockeys, recognizes jockeys whose career and personal character reflect positively on themselves and the sport of Thoroughbred racing.
Migliore edged Woolf Award finalists Roberto Gonzalez, Aaron Gryder, Randall Meier, and Mario Pino to win the prestigious award. He will be honored formally and presented with the trophy on March 30.
The 43-year-old Babylon, New York, native has won 4,322 races through Friday from 29,080 starters that have amassed $152,197,627 in purse earnings. He grew up on Long Island and developed an interest in horses while spending time riding ponies at a nearby farm.
Migliore earned his first career win aboard Good Grip at the Meadowlands on October 24, 1980, and earned the Eclipse Award as outstanding apprentice jockey in 1981. He was the leading rider in New York in both 1981 and ’85.
Known as “The Mig,” Migliore scored his first career Grade 1 win aboard Wild Again in the 1984 Meadowlands Cup (G1). He rode Hidden Lake to three Grade 1 wins in 1997.
Migliore moved his tack from New York to California two years ago and was rewarded with three Grade 1 wins in 2007. He won the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap (G1) aboard Kip Deville and the Norfolk Stakes (G1) on Dixie Chatter. Migliore also earned his most lucrative career victory when he guided Student Council to a win in last season's $1,120,000 Pacific Classic Stakes (G1).
Mike Curry is Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor