Derby Contenders  //
Robert V LaPenta

War Pass

Cherokee Run x Vue (Mr. Prospector)
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  • War Pass (Photo by: Coglianese Photos)
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  • War Pass (Photo by: Adam Coglianese)
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  • War Pass Winning the Champagne Stakes (Photo by: Adam Coglianese)
  • War Pass Wires the Field at Belmont Park (Photo by: Adam Coglianese)
  • War Pass Wins the Champagne (Photo by: Adam Coglianese)
  • War Pass With Jockey Cornelio Velasquez Up (Photo by: Adam Coglianese)
  • War Pass Skips Over the Slop (Photo by: Alysse Jacobs)
pic_zito

Nick Zito

Zito, a New York City native, started in racing as a teenager as a hotwalker and groom for trainer Buddy Jacobson. He later worked as an assistant to trainers LeRoy Jolley and John Campo. He saddled his first winner in 1972 and is one of only 17 trainers in history to saddle two or more Kentucky Derby winners (Strike The Gold and Go For Gin), as well as the 2003 Kentucky Oaks winner Bird Town.
Full Bio›
Cornelio Velasquez

Cornelio Velasquez

A native of Panama, Velasquez first established himself as an apprentice by leading his country in 1985. He then won the leading rider title in Panama as a journeyman in 1994 and again in '95. After a 14-year career in his native country, he came to the Uinted States and launched successful campaigns in California and New York before basing himself at Calder Race Course in South Florida.
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Robert V. LaPenta

Robert V. LaPenta

Robert V. LaPenta has been involved in racing since 1998 when he partnered with University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino. He later started his own stable in 2001. Among his first eight horses - which her purchased as yearlings for a combined total of less than $900,000 - was Zavata, a multiple graded stakes winner.
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Dell Hancock

Cherry Valley Farm, LLC

Cherry Valley Thoroughbreds is owned by four generation owner and breeder Seth Hancock of Paris, Kentucky. Hancock is a member of the Jockey Club and Keeneland Association. Prominent horses bred by Cherry Valley include Country Light, Pomeroy and Shadeed. Cherry Valley comprises 250 acres that is now part of Claiborne Farm.
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War Pass

Race History

Graded Earnings: $1,470,000
Race Record: 7-5-1-0
FinishDateRaceChartsRecapVideo
2nd04.5.2008Wood Memorial (GI) - AqueductChartsRecapVideo
Set blistering fractions, flattened out in stretch, just caught on the wire
7th03.15.2008Tampa Bay Derby (GIII) - Tampa Bay DownsChartsRecapVideo
Bumped at start. Never traveled comfortably
1st02.24.2008Allowance - Gulfstream ParkChartsRecapVideo
Keen early. Never in doubt
1st10.26.2007Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI) - Monmouth ParkChartsVideo
Opened up big lead in stretch, ridden out for the win
1st10.5.2007Champagne (GI) - Belmont ParkChartsVideo
Opened up big lead early, held on for win
1st08.25.2007Allowance - SaratogaChartsVideo
Hustled early, led throughout
1st07.27.2007Maiden Special Weight - SaratogaChartsVideo
Fought for early lead, drew off late

Daily Works Board

Dates

Track (Condition)DistanceTime (How)Rank
Palm Meadows (Fast)4 Furlongs:47.40 B1/26
Palm Meadows (G)5 Furlongs1:01.80 B2/6
Palm Meadows (Fast)6 Furlongs1:13.20 H3/4
Palm Meadows (Fast)4 Furlongs:47.60 B2/39
Palm Meadows (Fast)4 Furlongs:46.80 H1/55
Palm Meadows (Fast)4 Furlongs:48.80 H9/42

Pedigree Analysis

War Pass wrapped up his unbeaten juvenile campaign with a smashing win in the 1 1/16-mile Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), but questions surround his ability to get 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May. He's by Cherokee Run, who finished second in the 1993 Preakness S. (G1) but is best remembered for his sprinting accomplishments, winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) and Frank J. De Francis Memorial S. (G1) en route to champion sprinter honors in 1994.

Full Pedigree›

War Pass News

Champion War Pass Injured, Out of Kentucky Derby 134

posted by John Asher on April 19, 2008

Zito's Kentucky Derby Contender Anak Nakal Works At Churchill Downs

posted by John Asher on April 18, 2008

Kentucky Derby Worktab (April 18th, 2008)

posted by Brisnet Editorial on April 18, 2008

Court Vision, Z Humor Work; "Recapture" Breezes

posted by CDI on April 17, 2008

James Scully's Derby Report (April 16th)

posted by James Scully on April 16, 2008
More War Pass news›

War Pass Blogs

What Big Brown Can't Do is Make You Rich

posted by John Pricci on April 25, 2008 37 comments

Eight Belles: Why not?

posted by Dan Shapiro on April 18, 2008 36 comments

With the major preps in the books, lets look at the contenders

posted by Joel Cunningham on April 15, 2008 62 comments

Three Dots and a Cloud of Dust

posted by Mac McBride on April 14, 2008 111 comments

On the surface, I'm still confused

posted by Justin Dew on April 13, 2008 65 comments
More War Pass blogs›