Upon Canonero II’s triumph in the 1971 Kentucky Derby, a $2 winning wager yielded a comparatively small payout.
However, that $19.40 payout for the “Caracas Cannonball” resulted not from the Venezuelan entrant’s capabilities but entirely from his grouping into an enormous six-horse betting combination.
Considering his past performance and an ill-fated journey to the U.S., Canonero likely would have been overlooked with odds of 100-1 in the 97th Kentucky Derby. Perhaps even 200-1, but certainly not near his 8-1 odds.
The underestimated contender ultimately prevailed. Remarkably, Canonero surged from 18th place among 20 competitors to secure the Derby victory by almost four lengths. A fortnight later, any speculation that his Churchill Downs win was a mere accident vanished when he claimed the Preakness in record time, leading the race throughout.
As a genuine popular champion, Canonero garnered affection from individuals across all societal strata, particularly Venezuelans who would enthusiastically cheer “Viva Canonero” during his competitions.
A leg injury unfortunately brought his Triple Crown pursuit to a close with a fourth-place showing in the Belmont Stakes, yet this disheartening defeat failed to diminish his standing as a beloved icon and one of racing’s most captivating figures ever.
“He became a colossal figure in America, despite the universal skepticism surrounding him,” remarked his trainer, Juan Arias, in a 2011 BloodHorse article.
Although Canonero is predominantly linked with Venezuela, he was in fact foaled in Kentucky, sired by Pretendre from the Nantallah mare Dixieland II.
Pedro Baptista acquired him for $1,200 at the 1969 Keeneland September yearling auction, though he competed under the ownership of his son-in-law, Edgar Caibett. His racing career commenced on Aug. 8, 1970, with a dominant 6 ½-length victory at Rinconada racetrack in Caracas, earning a modest $3,300 prize. This win motivated his owners to transport Canonero to Del Mar, where he secured third place in an allowance race and fifth in the Del Mar Futurity.
Upon his return to Venezuela, he competed nine more times at Rinconada, achieving five wins, culminating in a third-place finish in a Series 4a-5a free handicap race over 1 1/8 miles as the 2-to-5 favorite on April 10, 1971.
Such credentials scarcely suggested a Triple Crown contender, however, Canonero’s prior win in a mile and a quarter race at Rinconada encouraged Baptista and Arias to challenge expectations by entering their horse in the Kentucky Derby. The Derby field had become considerably less daunting after the formidable 2-year-old champion, Raise the Flag, sustained a career-ending injury on March 31.
Canonero’s transit to the United States for the Derby mirrored the arduous experience of navigating Los Angeles freeway congestion at peak hours. His aircraft was compelled to return twice because of mechanical failures. Eventually, he reached Florida aboard a cargo flight, subsequently enduring four days of oppressive heat under quarantine.
An extensive van trip delivered a physically depleted Canonero II to Churchill Downs, and a slow :53 4/5 four-furlong training session merely reinforced the belief that he stood no prospect against the premier American 3-year-olds.
“He appeared out of place in the Derby, leading one to question his owners’ decision to enter him at all,” remarked Bill Hirsch, whose father W.J. “Buddy” Hirsch would later train Canonero at age 4, in a 2011 Thoroughbred Times article. “I held little hope for his success.”
Gustavo Avila, his customary jockey, flew in specifically to pilot Canonero, signaling to at least one competitor that Canonero warranted attention within the challenging 20-horse lineup.
“As a Puerto Rican, I was aware of the caliber of Canonero’s jockey,” stated Hall of Fame rider Angel Cordero Jr. in the Thoroughbred Times piece, “I recognized Gustavo as one of Venezuela’s finest jockeys. I struck up a friendship with him before the Derby, and he assured me his horse possessed genuine talent. Given his word, I took it seriously.”
Nonetheless, even Cordero was unprepared for the events that unfolded in the 97th Kentucky Derby.
Canonero found himself in 18th position following the initial half-mile, subsequently initiating a spectacular surge on the far turn which propelled him to a three-length advantage at the eighth pole and ultimately a 3 ¾-length triumph over Jim French, guided by Cordero.
“I had faith in Avila, yet I never imagined that particular horse possessed such speed,” Cordero commented. “I have never witnessed such a powerful burst in the Derby.”
Numerous commentators anticipated a return to normalcy in the Preakness, attributing this expectation to the reduced distance and a track at Pimlico that favored front-runners. Dispatched as the 3.40-to-1 favorite, Canonero silenced his critics by not only securing the Preakness victory by a length and a half in a record-setting time of 1:54, but doing so while contending for the early lead against the second-place finisher, Eastern Fleet.
A widespread enthusiasm for Canonero captivated both the nation and South America, as intense anticipation grew that the unassuming Venezuelan horse could conclude a 23-year Triple Crown dry spell. His appearance drew an unprecedented attendance of 82,694 to the redesigned Belmont Park, featuring its enormous grandstand, completed only three years prior. The venue teemed with supporters from Hispanic communities, who devoted hours to drumming, flag-waving, and chanting praises for their cherished Canonero.
“An estimated 25,000 people from Venezuela were present that day,” Cordero recounted in the Thoroughbred Times. “He attracted a significant number of new spectators, giving the Belmont a unique character. I have never witnessed such jubilation in the stands and the level of excitement I observed on that occasion.”
Bill Turner, future trainer of 1977 Triple Crown victor Seattle Slew, similarly observed a shift in New York racing that day, a change that rapidly solidified.
“Canonero ignited interest in racing among the Hispanic community in New York,” Turner stated in Thoroughbred Times. “Prior to that day, Hispanic individuals were not commonly seen at races or in the stable area. Today, they constitute a vital component of the sport.”
While a fairytale conclusion to the Triple Crown appeared imminent, an ominous shadow loomed. After the Preakness, Canonero contracted a skin irritation, thrush, and a painful, inflamed hock, leading Arias to forgo several days of workouts.
“I was certain Canonero would not claim the Belmont victory,” Cordero remarked in the Thoroughbred Times. “One cannot permit any setbacks if success in that particular race is desired.”
Suggestions arose for Canonero to bypass the Belmont, but Baptista chose to proceed with his entry.
Canonero exerted maximum effort in the Belmont, maintaining the lead until the three-eighths pole, at which point Pass Catcher overtook him, heading towards a three-quarters of a length win. Canonero, the 3-5 betting favorite, finished in fourth place, trailing by 4 ¾ lengths.
“Maintain a positive outlook,” Baptista advised Arias post-race, as reported by a Sports Illustrated article. “We have achieved wealth and renown. The equine is fine, and our prospects remain bright.”
The financial success was confirmed the evening following the Belmont Stakes, when Robert Kleberg, proprietor of King Ranch, consented to acquire Canonero for $1.5 million.
However, Canonero reached the King Ranch stables in deteriorated condition subsequent to his arduous Triple Crown campaign. It required almost a full year of diligent attention from Buddy Hirsch to restore Canonero to racing fitness, and his comeback on May 15, 1972, showed good potential. The top 3-year-old male of 1971 secured second place on a sloppy track in the seven-furlong Carter Handicap, conceding five pounds to the mud-specialist sprinter Leematt.
Nevertheless, the hope sparked by the Carter performance dissipated amid five consecutive defeats – two occurring on grass – with merely one result surpassing fifth place.
“He suffered from numerous persistent minor ailments,” Bill Hirsch stated.
Subsequently, on Sept. 20, 1972, Canonero competed in an event where he was not the featured competitor. He confronted Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes champion Riva Ridge in the Stymie Handicap at Belmont. Canonero started at 5-1 odds opposing the 3-5 favorite Riva Ridge, yet delivered what proved to be the most outstanding display of his 23-race career. He vanquished Riva Ridge by five lengths, simultaneously establishing a track record for a mile and an eighth.
“Witnessing him perform with such brilliance was an incredibly exhilarating experience for us all,” Bill Hirsch expressed in the Thoroughbred Times. “On that particular day, he was performing at his absolute peak. I doubt any competitor could have surpassed him then.”
One month later, Canonero secured second place behind Autobiography in an allowance event at Aqueduct, prompting Kleberg to make the decision for his retirement.
He departed from his racing career with unextraordinary statistics: nine victories from 23 starts and total winnings of $361,006.
However, concerning the establishment of a legacy as an underdog champion, very few horses originating from modest circumstances ever achieved the celebrity status that Canonero attained.
Indeed, why shouldn’t he? He stood, unequivocally, as the most improbable victor of the Kentucky Derby – irrespective of the pari-mutuel display.
Observation: This article was initially released in 2015 and has since been revised.
Intriguing Details Regarding Canonero
- His Preakness course record remained unbroken until 1984, when Gate Dancer (1:53 3/5) surpassed it. Secretariat secured the 1973 Preakness in 1:53, but this timing received official endorsement only in 2012.
- The attendance record for the Belmont Stakes, totaling 82,694, persisted for 28 years until 1999, when Charismatic pursued his Triple Crown attempt. Spectator numbers at Belmont Park for the Triple Crown triumphs of Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977), or Affirmed (1978) peaked at 73,857 during Seattle Slew’s clean sweep.
- During an allowance race at Saratoga on Aug. 12, 1972, Canonero placed second, six lengths behind Onion, a horse who would defeat Secretariat the subsequent year in the Whitney at the identical venue.
- Canonero’s win in the Stymie brought additional contentment to Kleberg, as Stymie himself had been foaled at King Ranch.
