Jockey Garrett Gomez, currently atop Thoroughbred racing's national earnings standings, has announced he will donate $10,000 to The Winners Foundation, an industry-funded organization dedicated to helping racing personnel overcome drug and alcohol abuse. Gomez, who has battled with drugs and alcohol, will present the Foundation with a check on opening day at Santa Anita, Dec. 26. "The Winners Foundation has helped me tremendously and they continue to help hundreds of other people in the industry," said Gomez. "My wife and I would like to sincerely thank Bob Fletcher and everyone else at The Winners Foundation. They have done so much to help us and to help many others, this is the least I can do. My family and I are very, very, appreciative of everything they have done and continue to do."
Gomez, 36, is a native of Tucson, and was the leading rider at the recently concluded Hollywood Park fall meeting. His 2006 purse earnings through this past Monday are $21,658,199. Jockey Edgar Prado is second on the money-won list at $19,604,613.Gomez and his wife Pam reside in nearby Duarte with their two children, Jared, 5, and Amanda, age 3.Gomez, who is represented by agent Ron Anderson, broke his maiden at Santa Fe Downs, New Mexico, on Aug. 19, 1988.