From Mary Lou to Tom; Jim Dandy to Fourstardave; Siro’s to backyard tailgating; and morning workouts to give aways; Saratoga has a cast of heroes, customs, and institutions which make it, in our opinion, the most unique sporting venue on Earth. Over the next 40 Days, we will profile 40 of these legends and traditions, adding our own memories and experiences from 30 plus years of summering at the Spa. It’s our Salute to Saratoga. We hope you enjoy following along.
Day 5: Angel Cordero–The King of Saratoga
In the 1984 Whitney, 4/5 favorite Slew O’ Gold, ridden by Angel Cordero, and talented three year old Track Barron, ridden by Jean Cruguet, headlined a three horse field (after two horses scratched). As the gate opened, Cordero rushed Slew O’ Gold to the lead where he was clear by a few lengths over Track Barron in second. As the pair entered the backstretch (well ahead of the third horse—Thumbsucker), Cordero pulled Slew O’ Gold off the rail, inviting Track Barron to rush up beside him. Cruguet accepted the invitation and the pair dueled through a quick opening half mile in 46 and change. As they rounded the far turn, the two horses were still inseparable. Cruguet lowered himself in the reigns and began driving Track Barron. Everyone braced for an apparent epic stretch drive. But not Angel Cordero. Instead of setting down Slew O’ Gold for the stretch drive or focusing on the horse directly to his inside, Cordero curiously rose in the irons and looked behind him—for Thumbsucker, who was at least a dozen lengths behind. Cordero knew what Cruguet and everyone watching did not yet understand. The King of Saratoga was about to have yet another Spa City coronation.
From 1976 through 1986, Cordero was untouchable at Saratoga. 11 meets, 11 riding titles. An incredible run, which to me stands more firmly than DiMaggio’s 56. Although Jose Santos finally dethroned Cordero in 1987, the King returned to glory winning riding titles in 1988 and 1989—13 titles in 14 years. He won seven titles after the age of 40. He won every major race at Saratoga, most of them multiple times—including eight runnings of the now named Personal Ensign, five Bernard Baruch’s, five Spinaways, three Jim Dandy’s, three Alabama’s, three Sword Dancer’s, two Whitney’s and one Travers. He displayed versatile yet consistent riding in all of these wins, including a wide sweeping move on the far turn after a stalking trip in the 1985 Travers aboard Chief’s Crown and an electric last to first rally on Brian’s Song in the 1988 Jim Dandy. The ’88 Dandy ride and win conjures up fond memories for me as I recall using my six year old handicapping skills to pick the winner.
But of all his exploits, none was more visually impressive and signature Cordero than his cold blooded 1984 Whitney ride. Notice the 2:03 minute mark of the race replay below. After his look back, and noting that Thumbsucker was hopelessly in his dust—Cordero turns to Cruguet and appears to say something. Cruguet was still vigorously riding Track Barron, using the whip to implore the talented colt for more run. Cordero never moved, he never asked Slew O’ Gold for more run, he never struck him with the whip. Cordero was cool, confident and composed. It was the definition of toying with an opponent. Slew O’ Gold, never asked, galloped away to an unbelievably impressive two length victory.
In an interview filmed decades after the race (video below) Cordero acknowledged that he had said something to Cruguet. In fact he acknowledged that he baited Cruguet to catch him on the backstretch simply so he could remind Cruguet, every sixteenth of a mile, that Track Barron had no chance of beating Slew O’ Gold. Cruguet got angrier with each sixteenth of a mile insult and Cordero became more and more confident. In fact, Cordero joked with Cruguet not to extend Track Barron too much because Cordero intended to take the mount for the Travers.
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The 1984 Whitney was the first of Cordero’s back to back wins in the Grade 1 handicap. Ironically, Cordero won the 1985 edition aboard—guess who? Track Barron. When you’re the King, you can pull off these types of things.
Cordero retired from riding in 1992 with over 7,000 career victories. He was inducted into racing’s Hall of Fame in 1998. Fittingly, in 2010, NYRA announced the Saratoga riding title would be renamed in Cordero’s honor.
