Career
Born in Havana, "Laz" Barrera was one of nine brothers who went on to become involved in thoroughbred horse racing in the United States. While in his teens, he began working at a racetrack in his native Cuba and within a few years was one of the country"s most respected young trainers. Seeking increased opportunities in a larger market, in the 1940s Barrera moved to Mexico to race horses at the Hipodromo de las Americas in Mexico City.
There, he met California-based trainer Hal King, who encouraged him to come to the United States.
There, Barrera took charge of a horse named Affirmed who, under 18-year-old jockey Steve Cauthen, would become one of the great horses in American racing history. In a career that lasted almost fifty years, Laz Barrera trained six champions and more than 140 American Stakes race winners.
In 1979, he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Laz Barrera died in 1991.
The Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes a Grade II seven furlong race for 3-year-olds at Hollywood Park Racetrack is named in his honor.