Merlin Volzke
Encyclopedia
Merlin Paul Volzke is a retired American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 jockey who raced primarily on the West Coast of the United States
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...

. He began his professional career in the 1940s and in 1948 won the riding title at Longacres Racetrack in Renton, Washington
Renton, Washington
Renton is an Eastside edge city in King County, Washington, United States. Situated 11 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington, Renton straddles the southeast shore of Lake Washington. Founded in the 1860s, Renton became a supply town for the Newcastle coal fields...

.

In 1958, Merlin Volzke was voted the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award
George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award
The George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award has been presented by Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, annually since 1950 to the thoroughbred horse racing jockey in North America who demonstrates high standards of personal and professional conduct, on and off the racetrack.The award was created...

, given to a jockey who demonstrates high standards of personal and professional conduct, on and off the racetrack.

Volzke retired from riding in the 1970s but remained in the industry, working as a Senior race steward at Los Alamitos Race Course
Los Alamitos Race Course
Los Alamitos Race Course is a horse racing track in Cypress, California. The track hosts both thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. The track has the distinction of holding four quarter horse stakes races with purses over $1 million, more than any other track in the United States.-Early...

 in Cypress, California
Cypress, California
Cypress is a suburban city located in the northern region of Orange County within Southern California. Its population was 47,802 at the 2010 census.-History:...

 when he stepped down after twenty-six years of service at the age of 79 in 2005.

At ceremonies held at Hollywood Park Racetrack on July 11, 2009, Merlin Volzke was given the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award, an honor awarded annually since 2004 to an individual who has served the sport with integrity, extraordinary dedication, determination and distinction. http://hollywoodpark.com/news/merlin-volzke-winner-of-sixth-annual-pincay-award
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