Angel Cordero Jr.
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Angel Cordero Jr. born (November 8, 1942) in Santurce, Puerto Rico is the sixth ranking jockey of all time and the only Puerto Rican to be inducted into the "NMR Hall of Fame".
Cordero was raised among thoroughbreds since his childhood. His father, Angel Cordero Sr. was a rider and trainer himself. His uncle's were also trainers and therefore it was only natural that Angel would follow in their footsteps and start racing at a young age.
In 1974, at age 32, Angel won the "Kentucky Derby" aboard Cannonade. He won the pretigious Derby two more times, making him only one of four jockeys to accomplish that feat in the Derby's history. In 1976, he won aboard Bold Forbes and in 1985, aboard Spend a Buck. The "Kentucky Derby" is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky and is considered by many as the supreme achievement in horse 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.
Angel Cordero Jr., had become the first and only Puerto Rican jockey to win The "Triple Crown" which consists of the "Kentucky Derby", The "Preakness Stakes" and The "Belmont Stakes".
Cordero was the winner of four "Breeders' Cups, which is another high profile race on the thoroughbred circuit, and he is in seventh place in the Breeders' Cup history of earnings.
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 stated: "I want to retire my way and not the other way. I don't want people to remember me going out the other way".
Cordero is now retired, but continues to be involved in racing and training. He is the agent of fellow Puerto Rican horse jockey, John Velazquez. Cordero's wife, Majorie Clayton Cordero, who was also a well known fiqure in New York's thoroughbred racing, tragically passed away in January 2001. Cordero is the father of three children. His son, Juan "Tolly" Rodriguez", is following in his footsteps.
The principal races which Cordero won were the following: 3 "Kentucky Derbys", 2 "Preaknees Stakes", 2 "Jockey Club Gold Cups", 4 "Breeders' Cups", 3 "CCA Oaks", 6 "Matron Stakes", 5 "Suburban Handicaps" and 2 "Brooklyn Handicaps".
Cordero's awards and accomplishments are: "Leading rider in Saratoga for thirteen years", "Leading money winning jockey (1976, 1982 and in 1983)", "Leading winner of races (1982 and 1983", "Two "Eclipse Awards" as Champion Jockey (1982 and 1983)", "The George Woolfe Memorial Award" (1972) and "The Mike Venezia Award" (1992).
Angel Cordero Jr., was inducted into "National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame" in 1988.
