ALBUQUERQUE, NM—JULY 26, 2018—Eight jockeys currently competing at Albuquerque Downs, accompanied by track chaplain Donald Stover, visited the University of New Mexico Children's Hospital in Albuquerque on Monday.

The jockeys -- Porfirio Cano, Victor Escobar, Don French, Reyes Gomez, Gustavo Herrera, McKenzie King, Jansen Melancon, and Jorge Rocha -- visited with children in their rooms and distributed gifts, including signed goggles and winner's circle photos, and posters of New Mexico native jockey Mike Smith winning Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown aboard Justify.

"This is something that we have been doing annually, and it's part of our giving back to the community," said Stover, who organizes the visits along with Albuquerque Downs' president of racing Don Cook and assistant general manager Beth McKinney. "The jockeys enjoy visiting with the children, and the children and their parents enjoy it too."

The University of New Mexico Children's Hospital is the state's only dedicated children's hospital and academic medical center. Located in the Barbara & Bill Richardson Pavilion, the hospital cares for thousands of children from throughout the state and is New Mexico's only Children's Miracle Network hospital.

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The Downs at Albuquerque Racetrack and Casino is located in the heart of Albuquerque at Expo New Mexico, the home of the New Mexico State Fair, and general admission and parking are always free (via the casino entrance at Louisiana and Central) . For more information, visit abqdowns.com and click on the "Racing" link at the top of the homepage.