Zito Working to Win the Kentucky Derby

Nick Zito is convinced he can win this year's Kentuckyand then slowly bring him back and condition him up to
Derby as he did twice in 1991 with Strike Gold and inthat mile-and-a-quarter."
1994 with Go for Gin. Now; he is 0 for 16, but this is noWith this preparation everybody feels War Pass
prove of lack of effort. Over the past two years heshould be in very good shape for the Derby. The
didn't have a horse participating in the race.same feeling is for Cool Coal Man that started this
But now Zito has a serious steady Derby contenderyear season with an amazing victory in the Fountain of
starting with top horse War Pass and Fountain ofYouth. His final preparation race would be the Blue
Youth winner Cool Coal Man; both owned by RobertGrass at Keenland on April 12th.
La Penta. Also; he has Stakes winner Fierce WindLaPenta also said Nick Zito has always been a
which is property of Sam F. Davies.consistent trainer on his Derby preparations, and he
After a front-running 4 3/4-length race in the Breeders'always makes good choices with the race selection
Cup Juvenile; War Pass has been the first Derbyon the preparation stage for the Derby.War Pass,
prospect since completing a perfect 2-year-oldridden by jockey Cornelio Velasquez, has proven to
campaign. The amazing colt opened this season withbe a very good opponent, with the biggest question
win No. 5, a 7 1/2-length romp over lightly regardedwhether the colt has the preparation to maintain his
opponents at Gulfstream Park on February 24. Thatspeed over 1 1/4 miles.
same day, Cool Coal Man won for the fourth time inLaPenta bought War Pass for $180,000 at the 2006
five starts in the Fountain of Youth.Keeneland September yearling sale. The next spring,
With the 1 1/4-mile Derby in seven weeks, War Passthe son of 1994 BC Sprint winner Cherokee Run was
moves into the final stages of his preparing seasonup for sale but was pulled out with ankle chips. Cool
when he takes on six challengers in Saturday's TampaCoal Man brought $200,000 at the Keeneland sale, but
Bay Derby. A final race is set for the Wood Memorialfailed to meet the owner's reserve bid of $850,000 at
at Aqueduct on April 5, and then it's on to Churchillanother sale.
Downs and the Derby on May 3rd."We haven't won another Derby (since 1994), and we
"There's nobody better at preparing a horse for ahad all those chances in 2005," Zito said. "Great
Derby than Nick Zito," LaPenta said. "What we wereexpectations bring great disappointments....I would like to
looking to do (after the BC Juvenile) is just rest himhave peace. I would like to win another Derby.