Eddie Arcaro, American Sports broadcasting journalist, former jockey, horse trainer. One of 2 jockeys to ride five Kentucky Derby winners; rider of six Preakness Stakes winners, six Belmont Stakes winners, including Whirlaway, 1941, Triple Crown winner Citation, 1948; only rider to win 2 Triple Crowns
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Background
Arcaro was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of an impoverished taxi driver. His parents, Pasquale and Josephine, were Italian immigrants and his father held a number of jobs, including taxi driver and operator of an illegal liquor enterprise during Prohibition. Arcaro was born prematurely, and weighed just three pounds at birth.
Because of this, he was smaller than his classmates and was rejected when he tried out for a spot on a baseball team
Career
He is widely regarded as the greatest jockey in the history of American Thoroughbred horse racing. His full height would reach just five-foot, two inches. In 1934, the inaugural year of Narragansett Park, Arcaro was a comparative unknown who rode many of his early career races at "Gansett.
He is tied with Bill Hartack for most Derby wins with five, and has the most wins in the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes with six.
His other Kentucky Derby wins were Hoop Junior. (1945) and Hill Gail (1952).
Achievements
Connections
Married Ruth Arcaro, 1937. Children— Carolyn, Bobbie.