Jockey Weldon Cloninger Jr has died

[Calzone Lord]

Weldon had four victories this meet at Presque Isle Downs, but he just lost his most recent bout with Cancer.

I got to see Weldon regularly this year, because he was one of the few jockeys who would come and represent himself at the draw.

I was amazed to learn that he was driving 2+ hours everyday between his home and the track. Even without being sick, imagine getting up and driving for over two hours, working on horses in the morning, waiting around until after 1PM during the post draw. Staying to ride races, and jumping in a truck and riding back home.

Weldon would complain whenever the racing office would card a race he was riding in as the finale, but that was pretty much all he ever complained about. A no-nonsense guy who had been showing up with regularity into the month of July.

I believe he won his final race on July 1st aboard Red Hot Quest.

http://www.equibase.com/premium/char...15&cy=USA&rn=5

The Equibase comment simply reads: "Strong ride"

A veteran jockey, Weldon had won over 1,500 in his career. He won at a 21% clip with his mounts in 2010.