Angel Cordero's Last Ride by Paul Volponi

re: Angel Cordero's Last Ride by Paul Volponi

PomDeTerre — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:03:18 GMT

Great barticle, great man, great rider.

Hey TurfSpeculator- did you take the time to actually READ it?

re: Angel Cordero's Last Ride by Paul Volponi

yani — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:32:07 GMT

just a simple thank you for this look back at a wonderful friendship

re: Angel Cordero's Last Ride by Paul Volponi

Convene — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:02:35 GMT

These two guys have a long history together, one filled with friendship and loyalty to each other - something to which we should all aspire. The memory of this day is bittersweet but a memory nonetheless and a reminder of how short both careers and life can be. Thank you for the story.

re: Angel Cordero's Last Ride by Paul Volponi

Lava'sStilltheMan — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 06:18:53 GMT

Next time I want to whine about a ride I don't like I will remember the courage of Angel and those who share his calling. Bottom line...they have a dangerous job and challenges on balancing weight and strength that we mere mortals can't imagine. I wish we rode races here at higher weights like the Euros. I used to own a blue collar "off-the-track" thoroughbred. When someone asked me about him I responded "he can run faster than I can ride." Jocks are among the most amazing athletes in the world and Cordero was one of the best.

re: Angel Cordero's Last Ride by Paul Volponi

TurfSpeculator — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:12:36 GMT

It wasn't his last ride. In October, 2005, he rode Indian Vale in the Cotillion Handicap at Philadelphia Park.

re: Angel Cordero's Last Ride by Paul Volponi

trackjack — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:28:02 GMT

Wonderful article Paul, thanks. In my opinion, Angel was one of the very best, if not the best, jockey I have ever witnessed. You describe him well.

Watching him over the years, I remember especially his gutsy, go to the front ride on Bold Forbes in the 1976 Derby. On the lead against the highly touted and speedy Honest Pleasure, Angel dared HP to come and get him and when HP decided to go after him at the top of the stretch, Angel let out another notch on Bold Forebes and held HP clear to the wire. What a masterful ride.

This is nothing against the other riders who eventually rode Spend a Buck, but Angel is the only one who knew how to get him warmed up or better said "fired up", before a race. His ride on Spend a Buck in the 1985 Derby was another front running masterpeice.

We were blessed to be at the Derby last year and attended the Night of Silks fundraiser for the Permantly Disabled Jockeys Fund that evening. I was able to meet Johhny V. and Angel and asked Angel to sign my autograph sheet which he graciously did. The PDJF is a worthy cause for those jockeys in need.

Thanks again for reminding us of one of the truly greats in this sport.

re: Angel Cordero's Last Ride by Paul Volponi

Sue MacGray — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:33:47 GMT

Thanks for this story on one of the sport's greats. It IS good to see him still around and involved. It's only natural that Johnny V is so successful with a mentor like Angel.

re: Angel Cordero's Last Ride by Paul Volponi

Steel Dragon — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:40:15 GMT

Great stuff, Paul. My favorite Cordero ride took place in the incredible '76 Ladies 'Cap. Angel rode Bastonera II with his broken wrist in a cast - and nipped the excellent Proud Delta (Jorge Velasquez) on the wire. As I remember it, those two had dueled much of the way a la Jaipur-Ridan.

re: Angel Cordero's Last Ride by Paul Volponi

Mauricio Farias — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:14:52 GMT

Is hard to define who is or was the best, I spend many years working as a jockey agent and handicapping in New York and I have a chance to see all the good ones, nobody was better than Angel

his fiercely competitive nature,his style and knowledage of the game plus his love for the horses make him diferent from any other rider I ever see. At that time when you came to NY. you have to meet Woody, The Chief,and Angel.

Mauricio Farias CHILE.

re: Angel Cordero's Last Ride by Paul Volponi

Ascot_Doll_wins — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:40:59 GMT

Thank you so very much for sharing this incredible story with us.

re: Angel Cordero's Last Ride by Paul Volponi

bellesforever — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:59:33 GMT

Angel was one of the best..I am glad he made it through the awful accident and it warms the heart to see him out and about still involved in racing.I am sure Johnny V has learned a ton of stuff from Angel that others would love to have the access to...he was that good!