Chapter 2

In chapter 2 of Raíces: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing, the foundations of the Latino presence in American horse racing continue to expand and begin to occupy a central position in the psyche of the sport. The chapter spotlights Ángel Penna Sr. of Argentina, one of the most respected and versatile horse trainers of the 20th century; Frank “Pancho” Martín, the Cuban-born trainer behind memorable campaigns and a dominant force in the New York circuit; Venezuelan jockey Gustavo Ávila, known for his success in multiple countries, including his 1971 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes wins aboard Cañonero II; Mexican American Ismael “Milo” Valenzuela, two-time Kentucky Derby winner and partner of one of the greatest horses of all time – Kelso; and Manuel Ycaza, a fiercely competitive Panamanian rider and the first Latino jockey to be inducted into the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame.