Saratoga in the 80s. Gene told Angel to make a run late, I told him, he's a bit short but if you get to the 1/8 poll, in 1:09, you'll steal it. He went into the turn for the 7/8 Alw. race, in 2nd. The speed spit it like always and Angel was soon in front by 6!. He passed the 1/8 pole in 1:09 & 1, drifting out and won by 3/4 length. Coming back, looking at the split time, then me. I got that big Angel Cordero smile and a wink. I will never forget that time.
Angel's not only one of the greatest jockeys ever but so very charismatic I could listen to him talk all day. And of course he talks about Seattle Slew in glowing terms that's my favorite horse of all time , and he said Slew was by far the best horse he ever rode ! Amen Angel and you're the best Yaki I ever saw!
Angel Cordero though he was good jock 'forever' left a terrible feeling about him when the stewards 'gave' him the race with Peppy Le Pew over Congeleur with one of my fav jock...Herb 'Hollywood' McCauley after a photo finish that took over 15mins to decide.! This cost me a pick6 of over $300k... I will NEVER forget that! That day Herb would have won 5 races!... I am sure Cordero remember that day they gave him that race!
I’ll never understand some of those Americans who could look at a person’s skin colour and say you can’t eat here, or, you can’t drink water here. What kind of human being could be so god damned fuckin evil? It wasn’t even that long ago that it was common place. Absolutely disgusting
Now that im sort of a " retired " racing fan , I am enjoying this . He seems like a fun guy . When I was younger , I thought that he had an eastern bias favoritism , especially by CBS Frank Wright . Laffit Pincay was the better rider though , and by a fair margin .
Gary stevens and many more great riders/jockeys couldn't shine Angel Cordero Jr' s boots on their best Day. Angel Cordero jr remains the greatest jockey slash race ruder that ever lived after Eddie Arcaro. Jorge Velazquez Jacinto Vasquez Lafitt Pincay Jr Eddie Maple Chris McCarron Chris Antley Jose Santos Eddie Delayousse Pat Day These were among The Greatest riders But Angel is still the best.
"Nunca he dejado ganar a nadie; incluso cuando juego bingo, damas chinas ó ludo con mis hijos ¡siempre juego a ganar!" Ángel Cordero Junior Ex jinete puertoriqueño
Coming back after a race he bended over pick sand and throw it at a guys face who was badmouthing him for loosing a race.....i was next to the guy and paid the price. Angel still owe me an apology.
Look what he did to Genuine Risk in the Preakness. Eddie Arcaro said he should have been disqualified. He didn't just push her out and bump her hard, but her jockey said he hit her in the nose with his whip. Howard Cosell said during the broadcast that Cordero was known as a dirty rider. Not in so many words. I don't think he has much respect from other jockeys including Gary Stevens. When Gary interviewed Chris McCarron, Gary asked him what qualities as a jockey he'd want to be remembered for. Chris said that he had integrity, was honest and had compassion. Seems like he wanted to differentiate himself from jockeys who didn't have integrity, honesty or compassion. Angel Cordero being the most famous of those.
