Angel Cordero and John Velazquez
photo by Adam Coglianese

With his victory aboard Sweet Cat in the 11th race today, jockey John Velazquez moved past Hall of Famer Angel Cordero, Jr., and into the No. 2 spot among the all-time leading jockeys at Saratoga Race Course.

Velazquez, currently the leading jockey at the 2011 Saratoga meet, now has 650 victories at the Spa, surpassing Cordero, his agent and mentor, who retired with 649 wins.

They both trail retired Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey, who sits atop the leader board with 693 visits to the Saratoga winner’s circle.

“This means a lot,” said Velazquez, who has 49 winners so far this meet. “To be right next to Angel Cordero and follow in Jerry Bailey’s footsteps is a great accomplishment. There are no other words to describe it.”

Velazquez was congratulated in the winner’s circle by Cordero and trainer Todd Pletcher, who owns and trains Sweet Cat.

“I'm glad for him,” said Cordero. “I know I was happy when I did it.”

Rounding out the top five in wins among jockeys at Saratoga are Hall of Famers Edgar Prado and Pat Day, with 423 and 399 victories, respectively.

Velazquez, 39, is the career leader in purses earned at Saratoga, with more than $39 million and counting. Bailey is second all-time in purses at the Spa with $38 million.