Santa Anita Nominates Baze, Birzer, Leparoux, Loveberry, Thornton for Woolf Award

Santa Anita Park has tapped five veteran riders as finalists for the 77th George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, naming Tyler Baze, Alex Birzer, Julien Leparoux, Jareth Loveberry and Tim Thornton in an announcement made Jan. 23, 2026. The nomination places these riders in contention for a peer-voted honor that recognizes both on-track achievement and personal character.

Since 1950 the award has been presented in the name of George Woolf, the storied rider known as "The Iceman." The track’s historical notes recall Woolf’s win in the inaugural Santa Anita Handicap aboard Azucar on Feb. 23, 1935 and his ride aboard Seabiscuit in the famous match race against War Admiral at Pimlico on Nov. 1, 1938. Santa Anita summed up the award’s mission: "Since 1950, The Woolf Award honors riders whose careers and personal character earn esteem for the individual and the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing." The Woolf trophy is a replica of the life-sized statue in Santa Anita's Paddock Gardens, a tangible link to the award’s heritage.

The list of nominees is geographically and stylistically diverse. Tyler Baze is identified locally as a California veteran and figures into current Santa Anita storylines, listed aboard Bartholdy at 4-1 on the San Pasqual morning line. Julien Leparoux brings a long resume of graded stakes experience, while Alex Birzer and Jareth Loveberry are repeat names in Woolf Award conversations. Tim Thornton appears in some notices as Timothy Thornton; the variation is noted in local coverage and likely reflects formal versus trade usage.

The Woolf Award is decided by a vote of jockeys nationwide and can only be won once, a peer recognition that carries career resonance. Last year’s recipient was Kendrick Carmouche, and the 2026 winner will be announced in March. That peer vote elevates the honor beyond seasonal numbers to a marker of reputation among riding colleagues and industry insiders.

Local racing context underscores the nominees’ profiles as Santa Anita moves toward spring stakes. The Pasadena Star-News reported jockey win totals through a recent Sunday with Umberto Rispoli at 15 wins, Kazushi Kimura and Emisael Jaramillo at 14 each, and Juan Hernandez at 13, with Edwin Maldonado at eight. Trainers Doug O’Neill and George Papaprodromou led with 12 and 10 wins respectively. The Las Virgenes Stakes was postponed to Feb. 8, and the Big 'Cap is scheduled for March 7, giving the Woolf finalists an immediate stage to influence spring bookmaking and public attention.

For racing fans and industry watchers the nominations spotlight individual careers and the broader culture of jockey camaraderie and respect. With the Woolf winner to be revealed in March, bettors, trainers and race-goers will watch whether the peer vote aligns with recent on-track form or honors long-term contributions to the sport.