Gulfstream Park, in conjunction with the University of Florida, today announced the names of the three recipients from Gulfstream Park’s $30,000 Barbaro Scholarship Program.

The Florida Derby Scholarship is awarded to two fourth-year UF veterinary students committed to a career in equine medicine and surgery.

This year’s winners, each of whom will receive $12,500 to apply toward their student loans, are John Weston Davis of Micanopy, Fla., and William Ben Stoughton of Gainesville, Fla.

The Barbaro Scholarship is awarded to a UF graduate student in equine veterinary research. The 2008 winner is Dr. Clare Ryan, also of Gainesville, and she will be awarded $5,000.

The three recipients are expected to be on hand at Gulfstream Park Saturday, Florida Derby Day, for a presentation after the sixth race.

The Barbaro Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial assistance and professional mentoring, through the American Association of Equine Practitioners, to students pursuing a career in equine medicine and surgery.

 “The health and safety of the thoroughbred, and those who ride and take care of them, is of paramount importance to Gulfstream Park and Magna Entertainment Corp.,” said Gulfstream Park President and General Manager Bill Murphy.

“We shared the exhilaration that Barbaro’s owners, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, felt after their great colt won the Holy Bull Stakes and Florida Derby at Gulfstream, following up with his victory in the Kentucky Derby. And we shared their despair after he suffered his injury.

“That injury has served as a call -- not only to the veterinary community, but also to all who love the thoroughbred and make a living in the racing industry -- to do all we can to promote research that will one day lead to the kind of medical developments that will preserve the lives of these wonderful animals. On behalf of Frank Stronach, Chairman of MEC, we are proud to offer assistance to any young person who values the thoroughbred as we do.

“We congratulate this year’s winners and we look forward to their future contributions.

“We would also like to thank our track veterinarian, Dr. Mary Scollay, for her tremendous efforts in helping to get this program up and running.”

Dr. Scollay said, “This scholarship program will be an immense help to young people. The monies contributed by Gulfstream Park and Magna Entertainment will be invaluable to those students who have shown leadership qualities as well as ability and aptitude in the medical aspect of this career.”