Team Valor International racing partners and Barry and Kathleen Irwin presented Mercedes Hernandez with the John R. Velazquez Scholarship on June 13 at Belmont Park, in Elmont, New York.

Hernandez, an aspiring veterinarian, met the Irwins and Velazquez in the Belmont Park winner’s circle for a ceremonial check presentation with Elisabeth Jensen. Jensen is the president and executive director of The Race for Education, the Kentucky-based nonprofit that oversees the two scholarships that Team Valor and the Irwins fund for students with an interest in an equine-related vocation. Team Valor racing partners contribute 1% of their racetrack earnings for the scholarships, and the Irwins match that amount.

Hernandez’ scholarship will total $20,000 over the course of her studies. She is an incoming freshman at SUNY (the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology) Cobleskill with a major in equine science. Her father is a groom at Belmont for trainer John Terranova II.

Velazquez rode Team Valor’s Animal Kingdom to win the 2011 Kentucky Derby. The scholarship in his name is designed for students of Hispanic descent