Advertisement

Son of famed jockey on track for own fame

FLORENCE, Ky., Sept. 14 (UPI) -- The son of one of U.S. horse racing's most successful and colorful jockeys is starting to look like his father's heir apparent.

Kyle Kaenel, the 16-year-old son of legend "Cowboy" Jack Kaenel, has ridden in eight races, finishing fourth in his debut at Ellis Park on Labor Day, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported Tuesday.

Advertisement

He is racing at the current Turfway Park meet in Florence, Ky.

Kyle "was born to ride," said Jill Trader, the father's sister and a former jockey. "He has been waiting for this, thought of nothing else but to ride. It's not only in his blood, but in his bones and everything else he's got."

For his part, the teenage Kaenel is deferential towards his father: "If I could do half as good as he did when he was younger, it would be great."

Latest Headlines