Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Raíces: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing broadens the series’ scope, spotlighting not only those who had tremendous success on the racetrack, but also those whose knowledge, investment, and vision helped shape and sustain the sport off the track. The chapter begins with Panamanian-born jockey Laffit Pincay Jr., who became the winningest jockey in North American history with over 9,000 career victories; Cuban American businessman Benjamín León Jr., whose ownership and breeding vision at Besilu Stables transformed the modern breeding industry; Hall of Famer Jorge Velásquez, hailing from Panama, whose partnership with Alydar produced some of the sport’s most memorable moments; Venezuelan veterinarian Óscar Benavides, whose career at South American stud farms and Kentuckybreeding operations has developed champions; Maria Pinzón, a Guatemalan trainer forging her career while raising her family in the horse racing world; and Gonçalino Feijó de Almeida, a Brazilian jockey-turned-trainer who made a name for himself across competitive circuits.