Corrales Facing Old Friend in Tremont

No trainer likes to see the name Wesley Ward in the entries when they're running a 2-year-old, but for Jose Corrales, Ward is more than just a formidable rival.

Born in Panama, the now Maryland-based Corrales says he decided at age seven that he wanted to become a jockey after seeing his first horse race. He went to jockey school as a teenager, and rode for a couple of years in his native country before moving to the States in the early 1980s.

In came Washington state native Ward, 1984's champion apprentice.

“I started in New York, but it was very tough,” Corrales recalled. “Then I met Wesley Ward and we became friends. I beat him in a workout one day and he said, 'Wow, you can ride–why don't you ride more?' I said, 'I don't get the chance and I'm heavy.' He said, 'I've got the place for you.' One day he came over with a plane ticket and said, “You can go to Spokane, Washington–a racetrack called Playfair.' I didn't even know where I was going, but seven hours later I was in Spokane.”

Corrales dominated at Playfair for a while before moving up to tougher competition at Longacres, where he also did well. Ward, who retired from riding in 1989, worked as Corrales's agent at Arlington Park. At one point, Ward's father, trainer Dennis Ward, gave his son and Corrales a horse to train together.

The friends eventually went their separate ways, with Ward heading out to train in California and Corrales relocating to Macau, where he dominated the rider standings for the next six seasons before switching over to training himself.

Corrales eventually returned to the States, and worked for several high-profile conditioners, including the legendary Jack Van Berg.

“He's one of my idols in this business,” Corrales said of the Hall of Famer. “He's a good man, a good boss and a good friend. Being around people like that is what helps you go places.”

Corrales was also integral in assisting now leading conditioner David Jacobson in rebuilding his stable when he returned to training after a long absence in 2007.

When Wesley Ward took the international racing world by storm in 2009, winning a pair of juvenile stakes races and finishing a close second with Cannonball (Catienus) in the G1 Golden Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot, Corrales was his assistant.

Corrales was working for Jack Van Berg in 2011 when circumstances forced him to go back out on his own, and he got his big break when owner/trainer Burton Sipp gave him two horses. Both won on the same day at Beulah, and pretty soon Corrales's stable grew.

Sipp introduced Corrales to Andy Stronach and they began a close working relationship.

Corrales made it to the GI Preakness S. last year with Federico Tesio S. winner Bodhisattva (Student Council), who was bred in California by Andy Stronach and given to Corrales as a gift. Andy also introduced Corrales to his father Frank, and now Corrales also trains horses for Adena Springs.

With Corrales's Pachi Cruze (Valid N Bold), who runs in Friday's Tremont S. at Belmont, everything has come full circle.

Pachi Cruze runs down Dangerous Dan | McCue/MJC

Corrales acquired the colt, who was consigned by Andy Stronach, for C$8,500 at last year's CTHS Yearling Sale in Ontario.

“Andy invited me to the sale in Canada, and I just fell in love with the horse's face,” Corrales explained. “I looked at him and loved the way he looked. Then Andy said, 'Go ahead and buy yourself one or two.' He approved my credit, and that's how I bought the horse. Andy is like my angel in this business. I am what I am because of Andy Stronach. Last year, because of him, I got a chance to run in the Preakness. He pretty much gave me that horse, and put me there.”

Corrales broke the Ontario-bred himself and began getting him ready for a Laurel maiden special weight Apr. 16, but wasn't particularly confident in the outcome as raceday approached.

“So I got him ok and ready to run, and then I saw [trainer] John Salzman work a filly [Next Street {Street Magician}] in [:35 3/5 Apr. 9] and I said, 'I can't beat that filly,'” Corrales remembered. “Then Wesley calls me and says, 'I'm running a horse in that race, can I send him to your barn?' I said 'Ya, no problem. If I finish third, that's still a good race.'”

Pachi Cruze was let go at 8-1 as the money poured in, as usual, for Ward's entry–Dangerous Dan (Iqbaal). The chalk took up his expected position in front early, but Pachi Cruze found a nice pocket spot just in behind. Tipped out into the clear for the stretch run, Pachi Cruze reeled in Dangerous Dan to graduate by a half-length. John Salzman's filly was third.

Corrales with his son Pachi and Bodhisattva | Jim McCue, MJC

“I couldn't believe I beat Wesley,” Corrales said. “No matter what, Wesley is the best 2-year-old trainer ever. Nobody's better… I've been around Wesley for a long time and I know what he does.”

Corrales couldn't help but have a little fun with his friend. “Wesley called me up and he said, 'You beat the king!' And I said, 'I kicked the king's ass!'” he quipped.

To make it even more special, Pachi Cruze is named for Corrales's 2 1/2-year-old son Pachi, and his 3-year-old grandson Cruze. The conditioner says his charge has been training well since his unveiling, but he's reluctant to make any bold predictions.

After all, Ward has two runners in the race.