Mott and Vasquez Elected to Racing Hall of Fame

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —  Trainer Bill Mott, jockey Jacinto Vasquez and the horses Riva Ridge, Bayakoa and Fort Marcy have been elected into the Racing Hall of Fame, it was announced Tuesday at Churchill Downs.

Mott, who will saddle Favorite Trick and Rock And Roll in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, has never won the race but has trained 125 horses that have won stakes, including Cigar, the horse of the year in 1995 and 1996. This was his first year on the ballot.

Vasquez, who retired in 1996 to start a training career, has been on the ballot several times, his chances said to be compromised because he was implicated in race-fixing scandals in New York in the 1970s. Vasquez rode 5,231 winners, including Ruffian and two Derby winners, Foolish Pleasure in 1975 and the filly Genuine Risk in 1980.

Riva Ridge won the Derby in 1972, the year before his stablemate, Secretariat swept the Triple Crown. He was the champion 2-year-old in 1971 and also won the Belmont Stakes in 1972 after running fourth in the Preakness. Both Riva Ridge and Secretariat were trained by Lucien Laurin for Penny Chenery’s Meadow Stable. Riva Ridge earned $1.1 million, winning 17 of 30 starts.

Bayakoa, trained by Ron McAnally for owners Frank and Janis Whitham, won the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in 1989-90. They imported her from Argentina, and she was retired with 21 wins in 39 starts and purses of $2.8 million. Bayakoa won Eclipse awards in 1989-90.

Fort Marcy, who raced for Paul Mellon under the care of trainer Elliott Burch, was moved from dirt to grass, where the durable gelding won championships in 1967, 1968 and 1970. Fort Marcy won 21 of 75 starts and earned $1.1 million.

This year’s Hall of Fame induction is scheduled for Aug. 10 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.