Contenders

Bill Mott

A native of Mobridge, South Dakota, Bill Mott was elected into racing's Hall of Fame at age 45, the youngest conditioner to be accorded that honor, and has received the Eclipse Award as the nation's leading trainer in 1995-96. He is probably best-known as the trainer of two-time Horse of the Year Cigar, who amassed a 16-race winning streak to tie Citation's modern-day record. In addition to Cigar, Mott has trained champions Paradise Creek, Theatrical (IRE), Ajina and Escena. He is the all-time leading trainer at Churchill Downs and has won numerous training titles on the New York and Kentucky circuits.

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. In 2002, he swept the leading riding honors at Calder, winning both the regular season and Tropical titles, in addition to being leading rider at Churchill Downs for the 2003 Spring Meet. He won the 2003 Breeders' Cup Sprint (GI) aboard Cajun Beat and 2005 Breeders' Cup Distaff (GI) on Pleasant Home. He has won over 2,000 races in his career.

Zayat Stables LLC

Zayat Stables LLC is owned by Ahmed Zayat. Zayat is the CEO and Chairman of Al Ahram Beverages, a major manufacturer and distributor in Egypt. He has been involved in buying horses at auction for just a few years but has always had an interest in horses. Zayat Stable has over 100 horses dispersed amongst trainers Bob Baffert, Bill Mott, Mark Casse, Dale Romans, Patrick Biancone, Todd Pletcher, Tony Dutrow, and Rick Dutrow, Jr. Notable horses sporting the Zayat silks in addition to High Again include Point Ashley, Got the Last Laugh, and E Z Warrior. Zayat owns over a dozen broodmares and has shown an interest in someday standing stallions.

Four Quarters Corp

Coming soon

High Again is from the third crop of High Yield, a Grade 1 winner at ages two and three. High Yield was a quick developer and was stakes placed before he even broke his maiden. He was quick enough to excel at sprint distances, as he went on to take the 7-furlong Hopeful (Grade 1) by five lengths. However, he also had tremendous stamina even as a two-year-old, finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (Grade 1). At three, High Yield was a major force on the Kentucky Derby trail as he won the Toyota Blue Grass (Grade 1) and the Fountain of Youth (Grade 2) and finished second in both the Florida Derby (Grade 1) and the Santa Catalina (Grade 2). High Yield is the fifth ranking third-crop sire. He has sired 90 winners from 163 runners, including five stakes winners in 2007.

High Again is out of the stakes placed Olympio mare Miss Belle O. She is the dam of five foals, yet High Again is the only one to have reached the racetrack. Miss Belle O is a half-sister to graded stakes winner Strolling Belle, who placed in multiple Grade 1 races. Strolling Belle excelled at lengthy distances, finishing third in the Grade 1 CCA Oaks going 12 furlongs. Miss Belle O is also a half to Hasslefree, who placed in multiple graded stakes events at ages two and three from distances ranging from five to nine furlongs.

HIGH AGAIN can't be happy with the far outside post position but it probably won't hinder her as much as it would others. She seems to be versatile enough to handle whatever kind of pace situation happens in front of her. She certainly won't outsprint Mistical Plan to the lead but can probably duck in behind her and save ground on the turn. She ran several good races in Florida this season and didn't run all that badly when fourth in the Ashland (Grade 1) considering the trip she got. Her favorite rider, Cornelio Velasquez, hops back on for the big race and she looks like a live longshot. It might be tough to give her more props than the Rags to Riches, but there is certainly a lot to like about this filly who will in all likelihood be let go at enticing odds.