Jockey Belen Quinonez

BORN: 04/02/79, Sinaloa, Mexico

RESIDES: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

FAMILY: Mayra, wife; Brianna, daughter, Alfredo and Jair, sons

            Belen, 29, is the middle of three jockey brothers now riding.

He and his older brother Luis are presently at Oaklawn. The youngest is Alonso, who is currently riding on the West Coast. “We are very proud of Alonso, who wound up being

nominated for the apprentice Eclipse Award his first year,” said Belen.

At Oaklawn in 2009, Belen finished the Spa meeting with

nine winners out of 113 rides. “Year 2007 was my best as a rider,” said Belen, who won

his first race in 2002.  The main thing was that I went through the year, injury free.

            Belen rode at Oaklawn for the first time in 2006, winning with 14 of his 198 mounts. Because of the success of his brother, Luis, the younger Quininez decided early in life that he wanted to be a jockey. Three jockey brothers in one family is a rarity in racing.

            When asked what his family thought about having three sons as jockeys, Belen replied, “they are proud. Of course, mom worries about three sons riding, always

being concerned that one of us will get injured.”