Angel Cordero, Jr.

Horseracing personalities infobox
name = Angel Cordero, Jr.


imagesize = 200px
caption =
occupation = Jockey
birthplace = Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico
birth date = November 8, 1942
death date =
career wins = 7,057
race = Kentucky Oaks (1984, 1989) Jockey Club Gold Cup (1972, 1983, 1984) Del Mar Futurity (1984) Suburban Handicap (1969, 1970, 1974, 1987, 1989) Matron Stakes (1974, 1980, 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991) Canadian International Stakes (1977) Kentucky Derby (1974, 1976, 1985) Preakness Stakes (1980, 1984) Belmont Stakes (1976) Arlington Million (1987) Breeders' Cup Distaff (1985) Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (1988) Breeders' Cup Sprint (1988 & 1989) Washington, D.C. International (1988) Pimlico Special (1989)
awards = U.S. Champion Jockey by earnings (1976, 1982, 1983) U.S. Champion Jockey by wins (1982, 1983) Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey (1982, 1983, 1985) Big Sport of Turfdom Award (1992) Mike Venezia Memorial Award (1992)
honours = United States Racing Hall of Fame (1988) Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame (2001)
horses = Autobiography, Bold Forbes, Dr. Patches, Waya
Seattle Slew, Relaxing, Just A Game II, Slew o'Gold
Chief's Crown, Spend A Buck, Gulch
Groovy, Manila, Open Mind

Angel Cordero Jr. born (November 8, 1942 in Santurce, Puerto Rico) is one of the leading thoroughbred horse racing jockeys of all time and the only Puerto Rican to date to be inducted into the United States' Racing Hall of Fame.

Early years

As a child, Cordero was raised among thoroughbred horses; his father, Angel Cordero Sr. was a rider and trainer himself and his uncles were also horse trainers. It was therefore only natural that Angel would follow in their footsteps and start racing - which he did at a young age.

American Classic Races

Angel Cordero Jr., was the first and only Puerto Rican jockey to win all three of the American Classic Races races which consist of:
*The "Kentucky Derby"
*The "Preakness Stakes"
*The "Belmont Stakes"

In 1974, when he was 31, Cordero won the Kentucky Derby aboard Cannonade. He won the prestigious Derby twice more, making him one of only eight jockeys to win the race three or more times in the Derby's history. In 1976, he won whilst riding Bold Forbes and in 1985, on Spend A Buck. The Kentucky Derby is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky and is considered by many as the most important race in American thoroughbred racing.

In 1976, Cordero won the Belmont Stakes on Bold Forbes, held annually in Elmont, New York and he won the Preakness Stakes twice, once in 1980 aboard Codex and the second time in 1984, aboard Gate Dancer.

Among his other accomplishments, Cordero was the winner of four Breeders' Cups and was the leading rider at Saratoga Race Course for thirteen years. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE6DF1239F937A1575AC0A96E948260]

In 1992, Cordero's career was cut short after a fall which nearly cost him his life. However, against the wishes of his family and friends, in 1995, Cordero saddled up again to ride the "Breeders' Cup" once more. Cordero said: "I want to retire my way and not the other way. I don't want people to remember me going out the other way".

Later years

Cordero has now retired from riding, but continues to be involved in the sport full time. He is the agent of fellow Puerto Rican horse jockey, John Velazquez.

Cordero's wife, Majorie Clayton Cordero, who was also a well known figure in New York's thoroughbred racing, died in January 2001. Cordero is the father of five children.Angel Cordero Jr., was inducted into National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1988 and in 2001, he was inducted into the Nassau County Sports Hall of Fame.

ee also

List of famous Puerto Ricans

References

* [http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/jockey.asp?ID=177 Angel Cordero, Jr.'s profile at the United States' National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame]