Jockey Kirk LeBlanc

Born: 08/14/1968 Resides: Haughton, Louisiana  Family: Laci, Levie and Macanzie, daughters, Kasey, son

In 1994, LeBlanc showed up at Oaklawn during the Racing Festival of the South and rode Two Altazano to victory in the $250,000 Fantasy Stakes. This year he is riding here on a regular basis.

LeBlanc rode his first career winner, December 1, 1984 at Delta Downs and is now closing in on 3,000 career victories.

He has already won a 2008 Oaklawn stakes, having taken the American Beauty on Doyouwantodance.

As a teenager, LeBlanc studied to be a blacksmith. "One day some friends and I went to a bush meeting in Louisiana. I wound up borrowing a helmet and riding a race. So I became a rider. I still have my blacksmith tools. Sometimes on a farm, I will shoe a horse."

He led all riders at Louisiana Downs in 2001 when he rode 123 winners.

"James Shamsie, his son Randy, along with Buster Leger really helped me as I was getting started as a rider. I will always be appreciative to them," said LeBlanc.

His first career stakes came when he took the Southland on Spellbound Miss.Later he rode her to six wins in 1988 to earn Louisiana Downs champion claiming honors of that year.