Team Valor Awards Scholarship to Vet Student

Blood-Horse

Team Valor International racing partners and Barry and Kathleen Irwin presented Mercedes Hernandez with the John R. Velazquez Scholarship June 14 at Belmont Park.

Hernandez, an aspiring veterinarian, met the Irwins and Velazquez in the Belmont Park winner’s circle for a ceremonial check presentation with Elisabeth Jensen, president and executive director of The Race For Education, which oversees the two scholarships that Team Valor and the Irwins fund for students with an interest in an equine-related vocation. Team Valor racing partners contribute 1% of their racetrack earnings for the scholarships, and the Irwins match that amount.

Hernandez’ scholarship will total $20,000 over the course of her studies. She is an incoming freshman at SUNY-Cobleskill with a major in equine science. Her father is a groom at Belmont for trainer John Terranova II.

Velazquez combined with Team Valor’s Animal Kingdom to win the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). The scholarship in his name is designed for Hispanic students.

The other Team Valor-endowed scholarship is named for the 19th century jockey Isaac Murphy and is awarded to African-American students.