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The 2012 Jockey Colony

Several new faces join the Canterbury jockey colony this season and should fit well with the established riders that include Derek Bell, Dean Butler, Scott Stevens, Lori Keith et al.

Tanner Riggs makes his return to Shakopee and will be handled by agent Richard Grunder who also books mounts for Juan Rivera.

Larren Delorme moves to the big oval after riding regularly on the bullrings of Nebraska.

Geovanni Franco tied for third in the Turf Paradise standings in the recently concluded meet and should see plenty of action for trainer Miguel Silva who reportedly will have nearly 50 horses here.

Agent and former rider Chuck Costanzo adds Olaf Hernandez from Mountaineer to his stable of pilots that also includes bug-boy Denny Velazquez and a veteran who has not been here for some time, Bobby Walker Jr.

Jose Rivera Jr. is a New Mexico import who will share an agent with Luis Robletto.

While agent Pete Antonucci racks up wins with his rider Dean Butler, the early favorite to win his fourth consecutive riding title, he also will book mounts for Carlos Castro, a winner of 877 career races who most recently rode at Hawthorne.

This is hardly a complete list as many quarter horse jocks will arrive in the coming weeks as well.

Get to know your riders and the barns they work for as it can make a difference when handicapping.

This blog was written by Canterbury Media Relations Manager Jeff Maday. Maday has filled multiple positions including Media Relations and Player Relations Manager since the track’s reopening in 1995.