Trainer: Kenny McPeek

McPeek, an Arkansas native who grew up in Lexington, Ky., entered the world of Thoroughbred horse racing after earning a degree in business from the University of Kentucky in 1984. Upon graduation, he worked as a hotwalker for trainer Claude "Shug" McGaughey, and when he first took out his trainer's license his father, breeder Ron McPeek, was his main client. Ken is best known for his work with Tejano Run, who finished second in the 1995 Kentucky Derby. McPeek also won the 2000 & 2001 renewals of the Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland with She's A Devil Due and Take Charge Lady, respectively.  Take Charge Lady is largely considered the most successful thoroughbred he has ever trained.

Jockey: Calvin Borel

Forty-year-old Calvin Borel finished 2006 ranked in the top 30 riders nationally, with earnings of more than $6.4 million. Like many Louisiana born riders, Borel began his career very early, riding match races by age 10, and became a licensed rider at16. His brother Cecil is a trainer. Calvin rides on the Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana circuit. He has won over 4,000 races, topped by Street Sense's Breeders' Cup win. Other top mounts have included Seek Gold, Suave, Court Folly (for Nafzger), Rockamundo, and Ermine. He has not hit the board in four Derby starts.

Owner: Koolmen Racing Stable

Koolmen Racing Stable is owned by Michael Harrison.  Harrison was born on June 27, 1949 in Newark, New Jersey.  He currently resides in Chester, New Jersey - 60 miles from Monmouth Park.  He owns his own law firm which specializes in health care collections.  He is also the president of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey and the executive vice chairman of Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation.  Secretariat was the horse who captivated Harrison's interest in racing and brought him into the sport.  He has been an owner and breeder for about 15 years and has about 20 horses in training.

Breeder: J.D. (Jim) Squires

J.D. (Jim) Squires was the winning breeder or 2001 Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos. That success led to Squires’ book “Horse of a Different Color: A Tale of Breeding Geniuses, Dominant Females, and the Fastest Derby Winner since Secretariat.” Squires began as an enthusiast of Paints, Arabians, and American Quarter Horses. He was introduced to thoroughbred racing Walmac owner Johnny T.L. Jones, Jr., and Airdrie Stud owner Brereton C. Jones – both fellow Paint enthusiasts. Squires annually breeds eight to ten mares at his farm and consigns the majority of those resulting foals as weanings or yearlings.  Last year he was represented as the breeder of Cotton Blossom in the Kentucky Oaks.

J.D. (Jim) Squires was born on April 3, 1943, in Nashville, Tennessee.  He currently resides in Versailles, Kentucky, with his wife, Mary Anne.  He is the former editor of the Chicago Tribune, former Tribune bureau chief in Washington, D.C., former editor of the Orlando Sentinel and Campaign spokesman for Ross Perot's 1992 presidential bid.  While Squires was with the Tribune, the paper won seven Pulitzer Prizes.