Garrett Gomez, horse-racing’s top-earning jockey for the past two years, was selected as grand marshal for the annual Salute to Route 66 Parade at 9 a.m. Saturday in Duarte, Calif., reported the Foothill Weeklies.
The parade will step off at 9 a.m. at the northeast corner of Huntington Dr. and Cotter St. and proceed east along a one mile strip of Huntington Dr. in Duarte, a portion of historic U.S. Route 66.
Gomez won 76 stakes races in 2007, including two Breeders’ Cups events. With his $22.8 million in earnings and his stakes victory records, Gomez won the Eclipse Award for outstanding jockey in 2007. He also rode in 2008 Kentucky Derby.
Victor Valenzuela, lifelong Duarte resident and head trainer of the City of Duarte’s highly successful Duarte Youth Boxing Club, will be honored in the parade as Community Grand Marshal.
The theme of this year’s parade is “From Route 66 to the Stars” and will feature antique and classic cars, bands, equestrian units, floats, and marching groups. In addition to the many local schools, churches and community groups, the parade also attracts participants from throughout Southern California.
Duarte has always tried to honor one of its own for the parade, and Gomez is indeed listed in his bio as a Duarte resident. “Route 66” composer Bobby Troup was the grand marshal one year. I’m not sure whether Troup lived in Duarte, but he resided in the Los Angeles region for many, many years.
After the parade, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Royal Oaks Park will host a car show and picnic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.