Angel Cordero Biography

Ángel Tomás Cordero Jr., born on November 8, 1942, is a Puerto Rican jockey who has competed in Thoroughbred horse racing. He is recognized as one of the most successful jockeys in late 20th-century American horse racing and the first Puerto Rican to enter the United States Racing Hall of Fame. Cordero achieved victory in 7,057 races during his career and rode three Kentucky Derby winners. At age 31 in 1974, he won the Kentucky Derby riding the horse Cannonade. He captured the Belmont Stakes in 1976 aboard Bold Forbes and won the Preakness Stakes in 1980 and 1984, with Codex and Gate Dancer respectively. In 1987, he became the fourth jockey to surpass 6,000 career wins. His racing career ended in 1992 after a fall that resulted in a life-threatening injury.