Jockey Deshawn Parker

Born: 01/08/1971, Cincinnati, Ohio

Resides: East Liverpool, Ohio

Family: Maria, wife; Deshawn, Jr. and Justus, sons 

Deshawn rode 333 winners last year, sufficient for second place in the2008 national jockey standing, category of most winners.  “It was a breakout year for me, finishing second to Russell Baze,” he said recently. “Over the years, a lot of good riders have finished behind Russell, who has already gone over the 10,000 win milestone.”           

From time to time, Parker has ridden in excess of 200 wins in a year.           

Parker rides a circuit of Mountaineer Park, Thistledown and Presque Isle Downs.           

For eight years, Deshawn was first string jockey for the late trainer and national champion Dale Baird, a career winner of more than 9,000 training wins.                       

This is Parker’s first year to ride at Oaklawn.           

“Scooter Davis, who led one of our meetings at Mountaineer last year, was bringing a stable to Oaklawn for 2009. He asked me to come along, so I joined him,” said Deshawn. 

Deshawn grew up in racing. His father, Daryl Parker, held all the jobs from outrider to steward.           

“When I was just a kid and my dad an outrider, he would let me ride his pony back to the barn after the final race. I felt so very proud doing so,” recalls the jockey.