LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr. never spent much time in the stable area before any of his 17 Kentucky Derbys.
Now 62, Cordero is enjoying the view as an exercise rider for trainer Todd Pletcher.
"I wanted to be part of the action, part of the festivities," Cordero said. "It's the first time I've ever been here a whole week before the Kentucky Derby. I usually just came in, ran the race and left."
Cordero won the Derby three times: in 1974 aboard Cannonade, in '76 with Bold Forbes and '85 aboard Spend a Buck. He lacerated his liver in a spill in '87 and had his spleen removed in '90. Cordero retired in '91 with more than 7,000 victories.
His weakened immune system often made him ill and doctors finally suggested that returning to the saddle might be the most effective therapy.
"They just told me I should ride horses," Cordero said. "They said that was the only way I could stay fit."
Cordero, has taken a month off from his job as jockey agent representing John Velazquez, who will ride Bandini for Pletcher in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. While cultivating their partnership, Cordero asked Pletcher if he could work some horses.
At first, he wasn't much help.
"I wasn't strong enough. I couldn't get them to work the way he wanted them to," Cordero said. "So he said, 'Let me train you like my horses.' It took a long time, but now I can."
This week, Cordero has worked primarily with Coin Silver, one of Pletcher's three Derby entries. He's also eased the nerves around Pletcher's barn with quick jokes and an infectious smile.
"He keeps things light around here," Pletcher said. "That helps tense situations when you're worrying when you're preparing for a race like this. I don't like everyone standing around on pins and needles."
Cordero is happy to do it.
"I always want to be around horses. This is what I've done all my life," he said. "It keeps me healthy, it keeps me young and it keeps me out of trouble. I haven't gotten into any trouble all week."
