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Report: Manny Franco, Angel Cordero Part Ways

Jockey Manny Franco and agent Angel Cordero, Jr. have parted ways, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News.

“There's no problem,” Cordero, 79, told the TDN. “He just wants to do better. I don't blame him. Everybody wants to be No. 1.”

The New York-based Franco won 252 and 221 races in 2018 and 2019, respectively, but his numbers dropped to 140 in 2020 (when New York racing was shut down for several months due to the pandemic) and 184 in 2021.

Cordero, himself a Hall of Fame rider, still represents apprentice rider Jose Gomez. The agent split with Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez in 2020.

Together Again: Kent Desormeaux Teams Up With Agent Tony Matos

Two Kentucky Derby wins and two decades later, Kent Desormeaux and Tony Matos are together again.

The Hall of Fame jockey, who turns 51 on Saturday, and the veteran agent, still prevalent and positive at 76, are business buddies for the first time since 2000, when they won the Kentucky Derby on Fusaichi Pegasus for trainer Neil Drysdale.

“Kent asked me to work for him and I'm very happy to get together again,” said Matos, who has won the Run for the Roses six times, with Angel Cordero Jr. twice (Cannonade in 1974 and Bold Forbes in 1976); Laffit Pincay Jr. (Swale, 1984); Desormeaux (Real Quiet 1998 and Fusaichi Pegasus); and Victor Espinoza (War Emblem 2002).

Cordero, Pincay, Desormeaux and Espinoza are members of the Hall of Fame, as are two other former Matos clients, the late Garrett Gomez and Gary Stevens.

Matos has represented Edwin Maldonado for a year come May and will continue to do so with Desormeaux now on board.

“Kent has three Kentucky Derby wins (Big Brown in 2008 in addition to Real Quiet and Fusaichi Pegasus), so maybe each one of us can add one more to our resumes,” Matos said. “We did well together in the past. It's been a good relationship and we remain good friends.

“I'm really looking forward to representing him and Maldonado. Kent is working horses in the morning and focused on getting his business back together.”

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‘Hope To Provide Some Opportunities’: George Bradvica Taking On New Role As Agent For Brice Blanc

George Bradvica, a fixture at management level positions and in racing offices at Santa Anita, Pomona and Del Mar for over 30 years, is tackling a racetrack job that's new to him with characteristic enthusiasm.

On Wednesday, Bradvica agreed to become the agent for jockey Brice Blanc, beginning at Del Mar.

“I contacted 47 trainers by phone today and I start making the rounds in the backstretch tomorrow,” Bradvica said. “I think Brice is a hell of a rider. He's got a reputation for being better on the turf than dirt which I think is unfounded and I don't believe.

“I think he's very good on either surface and I'm going to promote him, and that idea, and give him representation like he hasn't had before. I know I'm not going to change people's minds on the spot, but I hope to provide some opportunities and then the proof will be in the winning.”

Bradvica said he has been around horses since the age of five. His father and uncle owned ranches in Riverside County and he has early memories of a training center there that was home to trainer Rex Ellsworth where he was allowed to do stable work.

Veterinary school at UC Davis didn't work out, but he earned a degree in economics and was hired by Alan Balch to work at Santa Anita in the early 1980s. As an assistant to Balch he was instrumental in innovations like a nightly TV replay show, park and ride arrangements for fans when the track drew upwards of 80,000 on Big 'Cap Days and assisting in operations as the track served as the main equestrian venue -along with Fairbanks Ranch Country Club near Del Mar – for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

England's Prince Phillip, husband to Queen Elizabeth, was the president of the Federation Equestrian Internationale at the time.

“I met him three times,” Bradvica said. “He said it (1984 Olympics) was the best Equestrian event ever. And I'm pretty sure it was the only one ever to make money.”

Bradvica was the general manager for the race meetings at Pomona, which followed the Del Mar summer session, for 20 years and for the last 13 has been in a similar position for the Surfside Race Place satellite facility on the Del Mar Fairgrounds. During the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club meetings he has worked in the racing office and as a placing judge.

“I've never been a jockey agent, but I've gotten to know a lot of them, as well as trainers from working in the racing office,” Bradvica said. “I think this is a natural fit for me and I'm looking forward to it.”

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Announcer, Analyst McNerney Hoping To Bring ‘More Educated Angles’ To Dual Role At Ellis Park

Jimmy McNerney, Ellis Park's announcer who also does the morning line and race selections for the program, is resuming his role as pre-race analyst from his booth. Rocco O'Connor, the paddock analyst the past two years, has left horse racing.

McNerney also is the race-caller at Turfway Park during the winter and a top jockey agent at Indiana Grand. He believes having a bird's-eye view of so many races helps him in his handicapping.

“I think I have unique insight just from my other duty as announcer,” said McNerney, who had been the Ellis broadcast analyst several years ago and also holds that position at Turfway Park. “Not that other people can't see it on replays, but I do catch stuff. I watch the horses on the gallop-out, whereas the normal replay stops and goes back to odds or slow-mo finish. I can see them galloping out. I watch all that stuff, really critique a race. When I prepare, I watch the last couple of replays of most horses, not only for handicapping purposes but I do it also because sometimes you need the pronunciation of a name. Probably being an announcer gives me a little more insight.

“And I'm so close to all those people down there that I have a lot of insight with the local horsemen. I know how horses are training. I hope I can bring a little more educated angles.”

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