Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Raíces: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing traces the 19th century beginnings of Latino roots in the workforce of American horse racing from the saddle, behind the microphone, and on the training grounds. Key figures in these early years include Joe Rodríguez, a Cuban-born jockey who ranked among North America’s top jockeys in 1920; Argentinian and third generation horseman Horacio Luro, one of the most influential trainers of the 20th century; announcer Joe Hernández, the voice of Santa Anita Park for decades; Cuban-born Lázaro Soto Barrera, the only trainer inducted into racing halls of fames in Cuba, México, and the United States; and Avelino Gómez, the Cuban-born jockey known for his confident, winning style.