Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, July 29, 2017

SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2017 SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2017 
SECTION B 


AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY 
so proud of his family. When I took photos on 
Mother’s Day, he was so gracious, he asked Chance 
(Boulanger) to be in a photo too. Brayan was 
born in Guatemala; he came to this country at age 
seventeen and began by working horses. That was 
seven years ago. He has been in 877 races; 63 wins, 
82 places, and 103 shows.

Thoroughbred racing is currently at Del Marthrough September 4: Wednesdays-Sundays. If youcan’t get down there, Santa Anita has SimulcastRacing on those days with FREE admissionand parking. Then The Thoroughbreds travel toLos Alamitos from September 7-24, Thursdays-
Sundays; again Simulcast Racing at Santa Anitawhich opens officially September 29! See you there. 


JOCKEY BRYAN PENA: 

The Little Guy with the ENORMOUS Heart 

By Joan Schmidt

It’s been less than five years that I become an avid 
racing fan. Only because LA Mayor Villraigosa 
announced Santa Anita Park’s Breeders Cup from 
Los Angeles, excluding Arcadia City officials! 
One phone call to Santa Anita Park, a ground’s 
tour, and an interview with Jockey Joe Talamo at 
Ralph’s; I was hooked.

Writing for the Mountain Views News opened 
the door to many memorable experiences-
American Pharoah returning after winning the 
Triple Crown and Arrogate after Dubai. I have 
met so many wonderful people in the Industry-
not only the jockeys, but owners, trainers and 
agents. I have been so impressed how unaffected 
everyone is, how they are never too busy to answer 
a question or pose for a photo.

Today I would like to give a shoot out for Brayan 
Pena. He is truly one of the kindest guys around. 
Linda, also an avid fan recalled an incident which 
I must share. After races, the jockeys head back to 
the Jockey Room, pressed for time as they shower 
and put on new silks. Along the way are several 
benches, where one day, several special needs 
people sat. Brayan was heading back to the Jockey 
Room, but stopped and “high-fived” EACH one 
of them which was quite impressive. After a few 
minutes, Brayan came back outside with a big bag 
of goggles for each of them! Linda said she had 
never seen anything so wonderful-it meant so 
much to them. 

One day, I was at Los Alamitos, and it was a boy’s 
4th birthday; he already had goggles, but his dad 
stopped Brayan in the tunnel, saying it was his 
son’s birthday. Brayan didn’t mind the boy already 
got his goggles; gave him another pair and posed 
for a photo with him. Later, I saw the thrilled boy 
and Dad run inside to tell Grandpa!

Bryan is a devoted husband and father and 


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Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com