Contenders

Todd Pletcher

A native of Dallas, TX, Pletcher grew up around Thoroughbred racing as his father, Jake Pletcher, trained Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds. After graduating from the University of Arizona with a degree in animal science, he went to work for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. He stayed with Lukas for six years, eventually becoming his main East Coast assistant trainer. Pletcher went out on his own in 1996 and he currently trains for such powerhouse owners as: Michael Tabor of Coolmore, Aaron and Marie Jones, Padua Stables, and Eugene Melnyk. In less than 10 years, Pletcher has conditioned such top-class performers as Ashado, Bluegrass Cat, Left Bank, Speightstown, Strong Hope, Forest Danger, Flower Alley, Balto Star and others. While he has been very successful since taking out his license, 2006 was yet another banner year for the Pletcher stable. He set a season earnings record in 2005 with his horses winning more than $20.8 million in purses, surpassing the previous record of $19.1 million set by Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel. Pletcher recently won the 2006 Eclipse as the nation's top trainer, his third win in a row. After going winless with his first 12 Breeders' Cup starters, Pletcher won two races in the event in 2004: the Sprint with Speightstown, and the Distaff with Kentucky Oaks champ Ashado. Both would also go on to be Eclipse winners in their respective divisions. Pletcher won the Kentucky Oaks three years ago with Ashado

Garrett Gomez

Garrett Gomez was born on January 1, 1972. A native of Tucson, he now lives in southern California, where he rides on the circuit. He began riding at Santa Fe Downs in 1988, riding the midwest fair circuit before moving to California in 1998. He won the autumn Hollywood riding title that same year. He also has ridden for a time at Churchill Downs, where he was based before a self-imposed sabbatical in 2002 due to substance abuse problems. Returning to the saddle in September, 2004, Gomez has enjoyed tremendous succes, including winning the 2005 spring/summer Hollywood meet title. He's won major races for the last twelve years, including Arkansas Derby, the Secretariat, the Pacific Classic and the 2005 Breeders' Cup Mile and Juvenile. Gomez became Pletcher's go-to rider when John Velazquez was injured during the 2006 Keeneland spring meet. A winner of over 2,000 races for his career, Gomez tallied 261 wins and $20.1 million in earnings, which was tops in the nation, last year. His best finish in three Derby starts was a seventh aboard Southern Rhythym in 1994.

Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor

Michael Tabor was the principal shareholder in the Arthur Prince chain of betting shops in the United Kingdom until selling the business in 1996 for $50 million. In 1972, he purchased his first Thoroughbred and 23 years later his Thunder Gulch won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. He has campaigned many runners, such as Galileo and Giant's Causeway, in partnership with Susan Magnier, wife of Coolmore Stud owner John Magnier and daughter of renowned Irish trainer Vincent O'Brien.

Skara Glen Stables (KY)

Skara Glen Stables is the name of Stanley Gumberg's racing operation. Skara Glen is named after the Skara islands north of Scotland. Also involved in the racing stable are his wife Marcia and their three sons Ira, Lawrence, and Andrew. Stanley is chairman of the board of J.J. Gumberg, a real estate development business founded by his father. Skara Glen typically has between six and 12 mares, which are boarded at Lane's End Farm, home of A.P. Indy, sire of Rags to Riches. Skara Glen bred stakes winners Cara Carissima, Lyphard's Delta, and Take Your Place, and raced stakes winners Weekend Madness, Cinnamon Sugar, Delay of Game, Red Roses Story, and Something Super.

Rags to Riches 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.

RAGS TO RICHES comes into this race as the overwhelming favorite, a distinction she certainly deserves. She romped in the Santa Anita Oaks last time out to capture her second Grade 1 race following a win in the Las Virgenes. She is a half sister to last year's Belmont Stakes winner Jazil and is by classic sire A.P. Indy. She is light on seasoning with only four starts to her credit, but has been working aggressively with stablemate Circular Quay, who is slated to start among the favorites in the Kentucky Derby. Todd Pletcher brings a trio of fillies into this race but all the hype surrounds this chestnut filly whose giant stature appears to be matched by her desire to perform. One should fully expect her 5-2 morning line odds to drop significantly as she may go off as one of the lowest priced favorites in the race's recent history. You might be able to make a case for making someone else your top selection, but I would be hard pressed to do so. She looks solid.