Jockey Belen Quinonez

BORN: 04/02/79, Sinaloa, Mexico

RESIDES: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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

Belen, one of three jockey brothers now riding, is enjoying a successful 2009 Oaklawn meeting. “I got away a little slow, but things have picked up well for me,” he said. 

“Year 2007 was my best as a rider,” said Belen, who won his first race in 2002. I went from here to Prairie Meadows, then to Remington Park and rode consistently all year. I won a couple of stakes. The main thing was that I went through the year, injury free. 

At Oaklawn in 2007, Belen finished among the top 10 riders. He accepted 231 mounts at that meeting, 21 of which won as his horses earned $346,142 in purses. 

Oldest of the brothers is Luis, who captured the 2007 Oaklawn jockey title. 

Belen rode at Oaklawn for the first time in 2006, winning with 14 of his 198 mounts. He later rode at Louisiana Downs, Remington and Sam Houston. 

Because of the success of his brother, Luis, the younger Quininez decided early in life that he wanted to be a jockey. 

“Luis really helped me when I was a starting out. He gave me a lot of pointers. Since I’ve become established, he has pretty much left me on my own,” Belen said.