Hall of Fame rider Angel Cordero, Jr., who currently represents Manny Franco, regular pilot of GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S. winner Tiz the Law (Constitution), is adding Maryland’s leading apprentice, Charlie Marquez, to his team. Marquez, age 17, rides with a five-pound weight allowance and was the third-leading rider at Laurel Park’s summer meet, which wrapped up Saturday.
“There’s nothing like Laurel,” said Marquez. “I love all the people. The environment’s great, the horses are great. I just wanted to try something new in my career. I always wanted to go to New York. It’s just another chapter of my life, so I want to see where that goes.”
Marquez, who debuted professionally Jan. 1, got his first winner Jan. 9 at Laurel with his eighth mount. The Maryland native is the son of Carlos Marquez, Jr., a winner of more than 3,150 career races who is currently riding in Puerto Rico. His grandfather, Carlos Marquez Sr., was also a jockey who taught at Puerto Rico’s jockey school.
“I’m excited. I hope to do good,” said Marquez. “I have a very good agent up there. [Cordero is] a great mentor, a good agent and has a lot of connections, so hopefully we can be a good team and work together to get some wins.”
Cordero, who won 7,057 races during his Hall of Fame career, also previously represented Hall of Famer John Velazquez.
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