Tuesday, October 14, 2008

THIRD GENERATION RIDER MAKES HIS MARK AT MEADOWLANDS

East Rutherford, NJ [Oct. 14, 2008] -- Nearly 30 years after his father won his first riding title, 21-year-old Erick Lopez scored his first Meadowlands win on Tuesday afternoon.

The third generation jockey rode Young Queen to victory in the second race, a $12,000 claiming event, for trainer Alfredo Velasquez. Lopez and Young Queen led from start to finish over the mile and 70-yards and paid $8 to win. Lopez is the son of Chuck C. Lopez, a two-time Meadowlands riding champion and Monmouth Park titlist. His grandfather, Carlos Lopez, counts the 1980 Haskell and 1990 Meadowlands Cup among his many victories.


Erick Lopez made his riding debut on Oct. 18, 2006 at the Meadowlands and scored his first career win on Dec. 31, 2006 at Aqueduct. In addition to his skill in the saddle, Lopez is also a talented chef and artist.

Live racing at the Meadowlands continues Wednesday with a 1:10 p.m. post time.

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