Ismael  Valenzuela

Ismael Valenzuela wins the Kentucky Derby, 1965

Ismael Valenzuela

Hall of Fame jockey who twice won the Kentucky Derby and rode Kelso, horse of the year in the 60s.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Ismael "Milo" Valenzuela, a Hall of Fame jockey who twice won the Kentucky Derby and rode five-time Horse of the Year Kelso in the 1960s, died Wednesday. He was 74.

Valenzuela's daughter, Diana, said her father died after a long illness at his home near Santa Anita Park.

Valenzuela rode from 1951 to 1980, winning 2,545 races and earning purses of more than $20 million.

In 1958, Valenzuela won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes aboard Tim Tam. They lost the Triple Crown after finishing second to Cavan in the Belmont Stakes.

Ten years later, Valenzuela and Forward Pass finished second to Dancer's Image in the Derby. Dancer's Image was disqualified and placed last for a positive drug test, the only DQ in the Derby's 135-year history. That resulted in Forward Pass being credited with the victory.

Valenzuela and Forward Pass went on to win the Preakness, but their Triple Crown bid was dashed in the Belmont when they finished second, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by Stage Door Johnny.

Valenzuela was Kelso's regular rider, and together they teamed to win 22 of 35 races, including 19 stakes. He also rode such Hall of Fame horses as Affectionately, Cicada, Native Diver, Round Table and Searching.

Valenzuela won more than 130 major races, including the Arlington Classic, the Arlington-Washington Futurity, the Blue Grass Stakes, and the Coaching Club American Oaks.

In 2008, Valenzuela was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2008.


December 25, 1934 - September 2, 2009

Ismael Valenzuela

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