Cordero to race, help out victims

Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero Jr. is planning a one-day comeback to help raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Cordero, who retired 10 years ago, said he will ride two horses for trainer Todd Pletcher at Philadelphia Park on Oct. 1 – Indian Vale in the $250,000 Cotillion Handicap and Yes Yes Yes in the $100,000 Gallant Bob Handicap.

Cordero, speaking on a conference call Saturday, said he will donate 25 percent of his earnings to relief efforts for victims of the hurricane that battered the Gulf Coast.

“It will be good,” Cordero said. “I’ve got a chance to ride a good filly (Indian Vale) and be able to encourage people to help the people who need help. By riding, maybe people will make donations, too.”

Cordero retired in October 1995 after a career that produced 7,057 wins, including three Kentucky Derby victories. According to Belmont Park records, Cordero’s last race was an eighth-place finish aboard Bandit Bomber in the Sport Page Handicap on Oct. 27, 1995.

Asked if his comeback could go beyond Oct. 1, Cordero said, “No, that’s good enough for me.”

Cordero, the agent for Pletcher’s regular rider John Velazquez, has been exercising horses for Pletcher for about two years. Cordero’s opportunity arose in part because Velazquez is committed to riding several of Pletcher’s horses at Belmont Park on the same day.

“I’m not trying to prove a point,” Cordero said. “I’m not trying to prove anything. I just want to get it out of my system and I think I have the opportunity with a filly like that. If I ever write the story of my life, I want a nice ending – I don’t want to end that he rode in ‘95 and got beat the last time.”