Leading the Nation in total stakes wins, Deshawn Parker was voted the Jockeys’ Guild Foundation Detox Jockey of the Week for June 8th-June 14th. The award is voted on by a panel of experts for riding accomplishments by members of the Jockeys’ Guild, the organization which represents more than 950 riders in North America.
After beginning the year atop the rider standings for earnings at Sam Houston Race Park, Deshawn Parker returned to Texas over the weekend to compete in seven Texas Bred Stakes. With each purse worth $75,000, Parker won a total of four for the day, including the last three in succession.
The polished rider was at the top of his game on Sunday, beginning his win streak aboard the five-year-old gelding Redatory ($3.00), capturing the Richard King Turf Stakes for the second consecutive year. After an alert beginning and having to be wrestled back off the lead where Parker sat chilly, the journeyman put the gelding to a drive through the stretch, taking the lead nearing the wire for trainer Allen Dupuy.
Parker was victorious next aboard the heavy favorite Always Inthe Munny ($2.40). The three-year-old filly went straight to the front in the Bara Lass Stakes, opening up by eight lengths before being eased down coming to the wire for conditioner Mindy Willis.
Seeking a triple on the card, Parker piloted the daughter of Etesaal, Herbs Love ($8.80) from an off the pace victory in the San Jacinto Turf Stakes. Parker made a sustained move in the middle of the turn and took command turning for home before drawing clear to win convincingly for trainer Danny Pish.
In the day’s finale, the two-time national leader in wins (2010 and 2011) made it three stakes victories in a row and four for the day, breaking fast and going to the lead in the Star of Texas Stakes. Winning as much the best by an authoritative 10 ½ lengths aboard Kenai Bob ($6.20) for trainer Mindy Willis.
Deshawn Parker maintained a 57% win percentage. With four stakes wins, he led the Nation in total stakes earnings, totaling $178,640.
Parker has won 54 of 225 starts this year with earnings of $1,451,134. He has won 5,716 of 34,321 lifetime career mounts with earnings exceeding $71 million.
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