The Hartford Hurricane: My Life as a Thoroughbred Jockey

Book Synopsis: Mike Manganello, a multiple graded stakes winning jockey, was born in the Dutch Point section of Hartford, Connecticut. At the age of 15, he boldly walked into the office of Art McGinley, Hartford Time’s Sports Editor and told him that he wanted to become a jockey. Mr. McGinley saw that he had a small build with a fine pair of hands, sent him to Narragansett Park to see Odie Clelland, one of the better trainers at New England tracks and a good tutor for aspiring jockeys. Under the guidance of Odie, he learned every aspect of racing as well as caring for horses. Mike rode his first winner at Fair Grounds Racecourse aboard Will Step, March 3, 1960. That was the first of 2598 wins during his career as a jockey. Mike had 16,773 starts finishing in the money 6824 times. In 1962, Mike began riding in Cleveland Ohio at Thistledown, Randall Park and Ascot Park near Akron. While there, Mike went on to become Leading Rider 7 times. In 1968, he won the Ohio Derby aboard Te Vega, owned by noted Ohio business man, Frank Sullivan. In 1963 he moved his tack to Florida for 4 to 5 months of each year. Riding at Florida Downs, Hialeah and Gulfstream. In 1969, his Agent, Bob Peabody and Trainer Tommy Stevens convinced Mike to move his tack to Kentucky in the summer and continued going to Florida each winter. They were a great team… often winning four or five on the card multiple times. The highlight of his career and every jockey’s dream, was winning the 1970 Kentucky Derby aboard Dust Commander. Other notable races he won, include the Ohio Derby, Hawthorne Derby, Bluegrass Stakes, The Michigan Mile, Pucker-Up Stakes and was the Fall Championship winner a record five times at Latonia Racetrack. As a long-time fan favorite from 1963- 1991 at Florida Downs (Tampa Bay Downs) in Oldsmar, Florida, Mike set a season record with 75 wins in 1969, and by 1975 had won six riding titles. He still holds the most Leading Rider Titles at Tampa Bay Downs through 2023. As of 2022, he ranked top twenty-five as All-Time Win Leader’s at Churchill Downs. Seeking a change of pace in 1979, Mike began his career as a thoroughbred trainer. He trained in Kentucky and Florida for notable owners he had previously ridden for such as George Steinbrenner, Ann and Lloyd Ferrentino, and Preston Madden. By the middle of 1984, he returned to riding and continued until he stopped in 1991 to become a racing official. Mike would spend another twenty-five years officiating races as a thoroughbred Steward before retiring in 2016. Residing in Lexington, Kentucky for 50 years now, Mike enjoys gardening and spending time with his family. He also works endlessly for the PDJF attending fund raisers at various tracks and other events to bring awareness and raise funds for our disabled riders and is currently writing a book about his life on the track. Mike, Verna Lehmann, owner of Dust Commander and his Trainer, Don Combs, celebrated the 50th Anniversary of their Derby win in 2020. Mike was inducted into the Louisville Sports Legends in 2015, National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 and into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.