Saratoga jockey title to be named after Cordero

Angel Cordero captured a slew of major races at the Spa, including the 1985 Travers aboard Chief’s Crown (NYRA/Coglianese Photography) The jockey title at Saratoga Race Course, one of the most coveted in the sport of horse racing, will be named in honor of Hall of Famer Angel Cordero Jr., himself a 14-time leading rider at the Spa. “For most of the 1970s and all of the 1980s, Angel Cordero Jr., and Saratoga were synonymous,” NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward said. “We are extremely pleased to honor Angel by naming racing’s most prestigious jockey title after him.” Cordero, known as the “King of Saratoga,” won his first riding title at the Spa in 1967, riding 36 winners at the age of 25. Nine years later he came back to take his second title, with 29 winners in 1976, thus beginning a string of 11 straight years he remained atop the jockey standings. In 1987, Cordero’s streak was snapped by Jose Santos, but he returned to win again in 1988 and 1989.

“Angel came to Saratoga to win the jockey title every single year,” said John
Velazquez, four-time leading Saratoga jockey. “Being leading rider here 14 years
is an amazing accomplishment and this is a well deserved honor.”

During a career that spanned four decades, Cordero won nearly every major
race at Saratoga including the Travers, Whitney H. (twice), Alabama (three
times), Hopeful (twice), Sword Dancer (three times), Spinaway (five times),
Saratoga Special, Adirondack (twice), Bernard Baruch (five times), Jim Dandy
(thrice), Personal Ensign (eight times) and Fourstardave (thrice).

Inducted into racing’s Hall of Fame in 1988, Cordero won the Eclipse Award
for outstanding jockey in 1982 and 1983. He led all North American riders in
earnings in 1976, 1982 and 1983, and in wins in 1968. A three-time winner of the
Kentucky Derby — in 1974 (Cannonade), 1976 (Bold Forbes) and 1985 (Spend a
Buck) — he won the Preakness in 1980 (Codex) and 1984 (Gate Dancer) and the
Belmont in 1976 (Bold Forbes).

Cordero, who was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico on May 8, 1942, retired in
1992 with 7,057 career victories. He currently serves as the agent for
Velazquez, who was Saratoga’s top rider in 2010 with 57 winners.