Contenders

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). He also trained 2003 Kentucky Oaks winner Bird Town. His principal clients include George Steinbrenner, Tracy Farmer and Marylou Whitney. He and his wife, Kim, son Alexander and daughter Sara live in Garden City, N.Y.

Eddie Castro

Castro was born April 10, 1985 in Los Santos, Panama, where his family still resides. Last year, he ranked 15th in the nation with earnings of $9,262,061. He topped off a good year with a win aboard Miesque's Approval in the Breeders' Cup MIle (GI). The win made him the youngest jockey to win a Breeders' Cup race, though he lost that title three races later when 18-year-old Fernando Jara won the Classic aboard Invasor. He grew up on produce farm in Panama riding saddle horses and became interested in racing watching fellow countrymen such as Cornelio Velasquez. He attended Panama's racing school at age 15 and won his first race on Dec. 6, 2002. He came to the United States the following year, winning the apprentice rider Eclipse Award. He set a national record with nine wins on a single race card on June 4, 2005. After spending his first few years in Florida and New Jersey, he has moved his tack to Kentucky, where he won his 1,000 race on November 15, 2006.

Live Oak Plantation

Live Oak Plantation is owned and operated by Charlotte Weber and is located in Ocala, Florida. It was named Outstanding Breeder/Owner of the Year in by TOBA in 1991. Live Oak was named National Owner of the Year by TOBA in 2005. Notable horses campaigned by Live Oak include 2006 Breeders’ Cup Mile (Grade 1) winner Miesque’s Approval, who went on to win the Eclipse Award as champion turf male, and graded stakes winning mare My Typhoon. Live Oak earned over $5,000,000 in 2006. They stand High Fly, winner of the Florida Derby (Grade 1), as a stallion.

Live Oak Stud

Live Oak Plantation is owned and operated by Charlotte Weber and is located in Ocala, Florida. It was named Outstanding Breeder/Owner of the Year in by TOBA in 1991. Live Oak was named National Owner of the Year by TOBA in 2005. Notable horses campaigned by Live Oak include 2006 Breeders’ Cup Mile (Grade 1) winner Miesque’s Approval, who went on to win the Eclipse Award as champion turf male, and graded stakes winning mare My Typhoon. Live Oak earned over $5,000,000 in 2006. They stand High Fly, winner of the Florida Derby (Grade 1), as a stallion.

Autobahn Girl is by 1992 Horse of the Year and champion A.P. Indy, a son of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew and the leading sire in North America in 2003 and 2006. His 95 stakes winners to date include 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft, as well as champion Tempera, likely champion Bernardini, Grade I winner Golden Missile; millionaire Symboli Indy; Grade I winners Aptitude and Secret Status (2000 Kentucky Oaks) and Grade II winners Suave and Lu Ravi. A 2000 Racing Hall of Fame inductee, A.P. Indy won eight of eleven starts, including the 1992 Belmont (GI) and Breeders' Cup Classic (GI) while on his way to that year's championship honors. He was the morning line favorite for the Kentucky Derby, but was scratched the morning of the race due to a hoof injury. He currently stands stud at Will Farish's Lane's End Farm. A.P. Indy also has a very prominent female family. His dam, Weekend Surprise, was a multiple graded stakes winner and produced nine winners as a broodmare, including Summer Squall, winner of the Preakness (GI), Welcome Surprise, winner of the Dogwood (GIII), and stakes placed horses Honor Grades and Weekend in Seattle.

Autobahn Girl is out of Canadian champion Saoirse, a multiple graded stakes winning daughter of Cure the Blues. Autobahn Girl is a half sister to multiple graded stakes winner Hide and Chic and to stakes placed filly Saoirse Cat. Saoirse is a daughter of another Canadian champion Apelia, who was the champion sprinter in that country and was a multiple graded stakes winner.

AUTOBAHN GIRL is one of a few fillies coming into the race without the benefit of a prep race in the month of April; her last appearance in a race came on March 17^th with a fourth-place effort in the Florida Oaks; that race snapped a three-race win-streak. She was a somewhat surprising entrant into the Kentucky Oaks based on her recent inactivity and her disappointing effort in at Tampa Bay Downs last time out. However, she has always had obvious talent and could be overlooked in this race. She has an enviable pedigree and has the right connections to win a big race such as this. She has been working steadily for her return but she jumps in pretty deep here. I will be looking elsewhere.