Francisco Monroy is setting a sizzling pace on the lead in the jockey’s race at this year’s Humboldt County Fair meet, but there is a looming figure in his rearview mirror after the opening week of action — Hugo Herrera.
Herrera, who is bidding for his eighth Humboldt riding title, sits in a striking second position after the first three days of the eight-day Redwood session, as both Monroy and Herrera have made the winners’ circle their home away from home.
Monroy has booted home five thoroughbred winners and scored a pair of quarter-horse victories, while “Hurricane” Hugo has notched all five of his wins aboard thoroughbreds. Combined, the pair have registered 12 victories out of the 21 races run in the first week.
And based on the special Gunnar Froines scoring system (named for famed Ferndale announcer that gives five points for a win, three points for a runner-up finish and one point for a third), Monroy has compiled 49 points. Herrera is well within range of the lead with 38 points.
Epifanio Garcia stands third with three victories and 29 points, followed by Cristobal Herrera (20 points), Leonel Camacho-Flores (12 points) and Jose Rodriguez (10 points).
Francisco Rodriguez has saddled four winners and compiled 34 points to establish a solid lead in the race for the trainers’ title. There is a three-way deadlock for second place between Tim Abraham, D. Wayne Baker and Gary Greiner, who have all sent out three winners and compiled 19 points apiece.
Jim Craig is next with 15 points, with Emilio Guerrero, Marsha Stortz and Jorge Maravilla knotted with 13 points apiece.
Racing action will resume Saturday with the 12th annual “Ladies Hat Day At The Races” sharing the spotlight with the horse racing action. Post time for the first race is slated for 2:15 p.m. with possibly the biggest crowd of the meet expected for what has become one of the premier events of the Humboldt Fair season.
Contestants will parade with their spectacular hats and colorful outfits on the race track after that afternoon’s fifth race, and winners will be announced following the sixth race. The grand champion will be rewarded with a $2,000 cash voucher, with the overall runner-up receiving $1,000. Third-, fourth- and fifth-place winners will each earn $150 cash vouchers. In addition, there will be three honorable mention awards of $100 each. Contestants will be judged in five categories: Most Glamorous, Most Original, Best Racing Theme, Funniest or Most Outrageous and Best Couple/Group.
Signups can be made at a tent inside the race track entrance starting at 2 p.m. and last until the start of the fourth race (approximately 3:45 p.m.).
Racing is also slated for Sunday and Monday over the Labor Day weekend, with the first post at 2:15 p.m. each day.
