Angel Cordero, Jr.

Angel Tomas Cordero, Jr. (born: November 8,^[1] 1942), is one of the leading thoroughbred horse racing jockeys of all time and the first Puerto Rican to be inducted into the United States' Racing Hall of Fame.

Early years

Cordero was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. 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. His hometown in America is Long Island, NY.

American Classic Races

Angel Cordero, Jr., was the first 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. In 1987, Cordero became the fourth jockey to win over 6,000 races.

In 1992, Cordero's career was cut short after a fall which nearly cost him his life. His spleen was removed due to the accident that occurred at Aqueduct. 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, Marjorie Clayton Cordero, who was also a well-known figure in New York's thoroughbred racing, died in January 24, 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. In 2010 he was inducted into the African-American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame^[2]

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans

References

• Angel Cordero, Jr.'s profile at the United States' National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame