Trainer: Richard Mandella

Richard Mandella has the distinction of being the only trainer to win four races on a single Breeders’ Cup card, which he did in 2003; taking the Juvenile, the Juvenile Fillies, the Turf, and the Classic. Mandella opened his public stable in California in 1976. Other highlights include winning six straight million dollar races in southern California from 1996 through 1998, and being inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2001. He has had five Derby starters, with his best finish being fifth with Soul of the Matter in 1994.  Most recently, Action This Day closed from last to finish 6th in 2004 after taking the Breeders' Cup Juvenile th year before.

Jockey: Victor Espinoza

A native of Mexico City, Victor Espinoza began riding professionally in 1993, following in the footsteps of his uncle and brother. He garnered his first win at Hippodromo de las America in Sept. 1993 and moved to Southern Calif. soon after. He was the leading apprentice rider at Bay Meadows (1993-94) and at Golden Gate Fields (1994); in 2000, he captured the Hollywood Park spring-summer riding title. His biggest stakes wins to date have been on War Emblem in 2002 Derby and Preakness (GI), The Tin Man in the 2006 Arlington Million (GI), Early Pioneer in the 2000 Hollywood Gold Cup (GI) and Spain in the 2000 Breeders' Cup Distaff (GI).  He has had three Derby mounts in addition to War Emblem: Congaree (3rd in 2001), Borrego (10th in 2004), and Sinister Minister (16th in 2006).

Owner: B. Wayne Hughes

A native of Oklahoma, B. Wayne Hughes is the founder and president of Public Storage, which reportedly has more than 572,000 tenants in 38 states. Its worth ranks him in the Forbes 400, a listing of the country's wealthest individuals. He campaigned the Grade I stakes winner Joyeux Danseur and raced the top-class mares Trishyde and Shake the Yoke.  Hughes has more than 20 horses in training spread primarily among Richard Mandella and Warren Stute in Southern California and Paul McGee and Albert Stall Jr., in Kentucky.  Hughes maintains a band of 80 broodmares in Kentucky at Spendthrift Farm.

Breeder: James T. Hines Jr.

Hines, who passed away at his home February 21, 2006, was an Owensboro, Kentucky based businessman. Hines founded Premium Allied Tool in 1966 and built it into a multi-million dollar metal stamping company. He also founded Owensboro Manufacturing, Electro Parts and Mid-America Jet.  He bred and owned 2006 Kentucky Derby starter Lawyer Ron, who went on to become champion older male in 2007. Hines has been involved with racing since the mid-1990's, with Holthus being his primary trainer.