Risky Rachel, like
her trainer’s career winning percentage, was “perfect” the
morning after her victory in Saturday’s Broadway, her conditioner, Juan
“Manny” Coronel, reported.
In the Broadway, Risky Rachel became the first starter and winner for
her 35-year-old trainer, who had previously assisted trainers Frank Martin,
Sr., Angel Penna, Jr., and H. James Bond.
“The owner [Sanford Bacon] was just here, and we checked out
everything and we’re really, really happy,” said Coronel.
Born in Argentina,
Coronel is the son of trainer Manuel Coronel and rode briefly in his home
country before immigrating to the United States. Risky Rachel is
currently the lone horse in his barn, although the trainer expects to soon
receive four or five additional horses.
“When I stopped riding I moved to this country because I wanted
to continue learning, and New York
is the best of the best,” said Coronel. “I’m so proud to have
spent the past seven to eight years with different trainers like Frank Martin,
Angel Penna, Jr., and James Bond. I’ve worked for really, really good
people.”
Coronel said Risky Rachel’s victory caught the attention of
acquaintances in Argentina
and the United States.
“I’m so blessed, so blessed,” said Coronel.
“Now I feel relieved. Everything was perfect. Yesterday was very
exciting. I got phone calls yesterday from everywhere, from my country, Argentina, from friends here in the United States.
Today people have been coming to see me [at the barn].”
The Broadway was the second stakes victory for Risky Rachel, who in
2011 won the Friendly Island Iroquois under Bond’s tutelage. With the
mare hitting her best stride at the age of 5, Coronel said he and Bacon want to
thoroughly explore their options before they map out a plan for the daughter of
Limehouse.
“We have a couple of choices, but we’ll see,” said
Coronel. “It’s the first day after the race, and she came out of
the race well. Over the next couple of days we’ll see what the best
choice is for her. She’s a nice, nice New York-bred, so we want
what’s best for her. We have to be smart for the next race. We want to
win again.”