Trainer Juan “Manny” Coronel
commenced his career on a perfect note as his first starter, Risky Rachel,
delivered an on-key performance Saturday in Aqueduct Racetrack’s $75,000
Broadway, a six-furlong dash for New York-bred fillies and mares.
Risky Rachel, who left from the rail under Cornelio Velasquez, vied for
the early lead inside Saltamontes through an opening quarter mile in 22.51.
Velasquez angled Risky Rachel outside as they entered the far turn, and the mare
took command near the quarter pole before running away to a 6 ½-length score
over Big Brownie.
Off as the 6-5 favorite, Risky Rachel returned $4.70 for a $2 win wager
to her backers in the crowd of 5,375 and completed the distance in 1:10.55.
“She didn’t have a good post,
but she stayed close, and I had a lot of horse,” said Velasquez. “She
won easily; I didn’t hit her or anything. Very impressive. I’m very
happy for the trainer that he got his first win, he’s a good friend of
mine.”
Coronel, who assisted trainer H. James
Bond before striking out on his own, needed few words to express his
sentiments.
“It’s amazing,” said
Coronel. “It’s like a dream come true.”
Coronel, 35, hails from Argentina, where he competed as an
apprentice jockey before immigrating to the United States. Prior to working for
Bond, Coronel assisted trainers Frank Martin, Sr. and Angel Penna, Jr.
Risky Rachel competed for Bond in 2011, winning three of five starts,
including the Friendly Island Iroquois in October at Belmont Park.
She entered the Broadway off a fifth in the Grade 2 Go for Wand Handicap in
November at Aqueduct. Overall, she is 5-2-1 from 11 starts. The $45,000
winner’s share of the Broadway purse pushed her earnings to $228,500.
Coronel said he’ll bide his time with Risky Rachel before he and
owner Sanford Bacon decide where the 5-year-old will make her next start.
“First, we want to see how she is
tomorrow,” said Coronel. “Then we’ll see what’s going
to happen. She’s such a nice New York-bred, and I’m just so blessed
and so happy.”
Nicole’s Miss El was third, followed by Lady Gracenote,
Saltamontes, Devilish Spirit, and Victoryat Last.