Cornelio H. Velasquez

Birthdate: September 28, 1968

Birthplace: Panama City, Panama

Residence: Hollywood, Fla.

Family: wife: Roxanne; children, Tiffany, Connie and Katarine

Cornelio Velasquez has ridden some elite horses throughout his career, including Ashado, Evening Attire, Flashpoint, Giant Ryan, Society Selection, Trust N Luck, Band Is Passing, Best of the Rest, Cellars Shiraz, Closing Arguement, Nobiz Like Showbiz, Tale of Ekati, Showing Up, and The Judge Sez Who.

Velasquez won his first graded stakes victory in 1996 Toronto Cup Handicap at Woodbine and his first Grade 1 stakes on Feb. 16, 2002, aboard Cetewayo in the Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Handicap.

Velasquez moved to Churchill Downs in 2003 where he became the leading rider for the spring meet. A graduate of the Panamanian national jockey school, Velasquez rode his first winner in 1985 in Panama aboard Ri Quy and went on to be named their top apprentice jockey that year. He went on to ride in Panama for 14 years, earning leading rider honors in 1994 and 1995, before moving his tack to the United States.

Reached 3,000 career wins in November 27, 2011 at Aqueduct. Since 2004, he has ranked among the leading jockeys annually in New York. His 44 wins made him Saratoga's leading rider in 2007.

Velasquez has amassed five wins in the Breeders Cup World Championships: 2011 Breeders' Cup Marathon, Afleet Again; 2007 Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile, War Pass; 2007 NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile, Kip Deville; 2005 Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff, Pleasant Home; and 2003 Breeders' Cup Sprint, Cajun Beat. He best finish in the Triple Crown was a runner-up finish in the 2005 Kentucky Derby aboard Closing Argument.