Contenders

Steven Asmussen

In 2002, Asmussen won his first national training title by number of victories, as his outfit saddled an impressive 407 winners. However, he outdid himself in 2004, winning a record 555 races, over 180 more than his closest competitor. He continued his winning ways in 2005, taking 474 races and earning $13.3 million in purses. His training career began with both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses in New Mexico in 1986. He has won training titles at Lone Star Park, Keeneland, Fair Grounds, Churchill Downs, Remington Park, Sam Houston, and Retama Park, and is the all-time leading trainer at Lone Star. He was born into a racing family - his father, Keith, is a former jockey; his mother, Marilyn, is a trainer, and brother Cash was a champion rider in the U.S. and Europe. He has had five starters in the Derby: Fifty Stars (9th, 2001), Private Emblem (14th, 2002), Quintons Gold Rush (18th, 2004) and the unplaced duo of Storm Treasure and Private Vow last year. He also won the 2005 Kentucky Oaks with Summerly.

Shaun Bridgmohan

Bridgmohan, 26, is a native of Jamaica who currently resides in Fort Lauderdale. A winner of over 1,100 races in his career, he did not begin riding until after graduating high school, as stipulated by his father. His association with racing began as a child when his dad would take him to the races on weekends. He then went on to be a hot walker, groom and, after a few years, an exercise rider. His patience on waiting to ride was rewarded, he was named the 1998 Eclipse Award winner for leading apprentice rider. He once one six races in a single day at Aqueduct on February, 15, 1998. He tied for leading rider at the 2002 Aqueduct spring meet. He rode his first Derby last year, finishing 15th aboard Private Vow.

Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC

Winchell Thoroughbreds is a partnership between Joan and her son Ron, who are continuing their racing business after the death of husband and father Verne in November 2002. The Winchells are also involved in several commercial building interests, including shopping centers, restaurants, and industrial developments. Verne was the creator of a large chain of donut shops that was sold to Denny’s restaurants. They keep racehorses with trainers Ron McAnally, Steve Asmussen, and Michael Dickinson. Their lone Kentucky Derby starter was Tapit, 9^th in 2004.

Tony Holmes and Walter Zent (KY)

Holmes is a New Zealand native, where he his family was involved in the standardbred breeding business. He came to America 1984, serving as an employee of Airdrie Stud near Midway, KY. Now a resident of Lexington, KY, he runs a commercial breeding farm with his wife, housing about 20 broodmares.

Dr. Walter Zent is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine and a resident of Lexington, KY. The Buffalo, New York native joined the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington in 1966 and has been a veterinary practitioner there ever since. Zent's wife, June, handles most of the day-to-day management of family farm in Lexington. Zanjero brought $700,000 at auction, a personal record for a yearling bred by the Zents. Zent And Holmes, along with John Gunther, bred 2006 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI).

Zanjero is by the champion and Breeders’ Cup Sprint (GI) winner Cherokee Run, a horse that was more of a miler than a speed-crazed sprinter on the racetrack. Though he was at his best at eight furlongs, he did finish second in the Preakness (GI). Cherokee Run is the sire of nine crops and 26 stakes winners to date, including the champion filly Chilukki, a track record setter at Churchill Downs; the multiple graded stakes winner Kafwain; Grade I Hopeful Stakes winner Yonaguska; Dream Run, winner of the Grade II Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship, the graded stakes winners Sir Cherokee and During and 2007 Kentucky Derby hopeful Chelokee. The performances of last three in the list are proof that he can sire horses that can get the two turns.

Zanjero is out of the unraced A.P. Indy mare Checkered Flag, who has produced two foals to date. Besides Zanjero, her daughter Victory Lap (Touch Gold) won the Lone Star Oaks and Ellis Park Breeders’ Cup Turf and is graded placed on the turf at Saratoga and Keeneland. Zanjero’s second dam, Shawnee Creek, is also the granddam of expected Derby entrant Storm in May. Shawnee Creek produced the stakes horses Storm Creek (Sheridan [GIII]) and Rose Violet, grade one placed in Italy, and Raft Trip. Shawnee Creek is a half-sister to North Sider, champion United States older mare and winner of the Santa Margarita Invitational (GI). Dosage Index: 3.50. - by Mark Hoard

ZANJERO has run 3rd in all three of his starts at age three. Now he breaks from Post 3 for trainer Steve Asmussen. His move in the Risen Star was impressive considering it was his first start of the year, as he moved wide and fast on the turn and took the lead before losing it late. His Louisiana Derby effort was solid, though not especially impressive when passing horses who were backing up. His final prep came in the Blue Grass Stakes, where he was closer to the pace than usual, and finished well behind Dominican and Street Sense. His regular jockey jumped off for Any Given Saturday, but rider Shaun Bridgmohan is undefeated on Zanjero. He has shown he can be competitive with top horses, and has looked fantastic this week. If he can take the next step up and avoid trouble, he has a realistic chance to win at a price.