Frank Coltiletti

Biography

It did not take Frank Coltiletti long to establish himself as one of America’s finest jockeys during the 1920s.

In his first season, 1919, Coltiletti was leading rider during the fall meeting at Havre de Grace in Maryland. The following year, he rode a career-best 115 winners to finish third in the national standings. In 1921, at the age of 17, he won the Preakness Stakes aboard Broomspun, owned by Hall of Famer Harry Payne Whitney.

Coltiletti said the best horse he ever rode was Mars, with whom he won the 1926 Travers Stakes. That year, Coltiletti also rode Edith Cavell to defeat Black Maria in the Coaching Club American Oaks. In 1927, he won with Black Maria in both the Metropolitan and Ladies handicaps. He twice rode Hall of Famer Sun Beau to victory in the Hawthorne Gold Cup in Chicago.

Other major wins included the 1921 Belmont Futurity with Bunting and the 1926 Hopeful with Lord Chaucer.

Although tall for a jockey at 5-foot-8, Coltiletti was able to maintain his weight around 108 pounds. After retiring with 667 career wins to his credit, Coltiletti became a trainer and then an official with the New York Racing Commission.

Achievements

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the 1921 Preakness Stakes — Broomspun

Other Highlights

Won the Jerome Handicap — 1921, 1923
Won the Potomac Handicap — 1921, 1931
Won the Coaching Club American Oaks — 1926, 1931
Won the Hawthorne Gold Cup — 1929, 1930
Won the Hopeful Stakes — 1926
Won the Travers Stakes — 1926