Since 1950, the Woolf Award has honored riders whose careers and personal character earn esteem for the individual and the sport of thoroughbred horse racing. The Woolf Award can only be won once by an individual.

Jockeys Kendrick Carmouche, James Graham, Brian Hernandez, Jr., and Juan Hernandez along with Juarez will be voted on by their peers nationwide to determine who will be the 2025 Woolf Award winner.

Juarez, Jr. began his riding career at Hipodromo de las Americas in his native Mexico City in 1992.

His best season came in 2014 when he won 218 races from 958 mounts and earned more than $4 million. Juarez, who regularly rides at Albuquerque, Ruidoso, Sunland Park, Sun Ray Park and Zia Park, rode his 3,000 winner in 2019. Juarez has won more than 20 riding titles at Albuquerque, Ruidoso, Sunland Park, Farmington and Hobbs from 2004 to 2024. He has also enjoyed successful ventures in the past at Arlington Park, Lone Star Park and Turf Paradise. In Chicago, he rode eventual 2003 Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem to two victories.