[OLD HEAD]

Denis of Cork

Trainer: David Carroll

David Carroll was was born on January 30, 1960, and grew up in Ireland. He has a wife named Kim, a 12-year-old daughter named Aisling and an 8-year-old son named Declan. Carroll worked for Shug McGauhey for six years. He galloped such notable horses as Easy Goer and Personal Flag. Since going out on his own, Caroll has trained such horses as American Chance, Fire Slam and Marshua's River.

Jockey: Robby Albarado

A native of Lafayette, La., Albarado started riding at bush tracks at the age of 12 and scored his first career win at Evangeline Downs in 1990. He has earned riding titles at Fair Grounds, Arlington Park and Oaklawn Park. He fractured his pelvis in a two-horse spill at Keeneland on Oct. 13, 2000 and as a result, he had to sit out most of 2001. He was the winner of the 2004 George Woolf Memorial Award, given by his peers. His best mount to date has been Curlin, who he rode to a third place finish in the 2007 Kentucky Derby and won races such as the Breeders' Cup Classic, Jockey Club Gold Cup, Preakness Stakes and Arkansas Derby. Other notable mounts include 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft, Joyeux Danseur, Quiet Resolve, Morluc, and Tijiyr (Ire). He and his wife, Kimber, reside in Louisville, Ky. and have two sons, Kaden and Kash. Albarado has ridden in nine Derbys, including back-to-back third place finishes in 2006 (aboard Steppenwolfer) and 2007 (aboard Curlin).

Owner: Mr. & Mrs. William K. Warren Jr.

Mr. & Mrs. William K. Warren Jr. reside in Tulsa, OK. They have six children and four grandchildren. William graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1956 and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He serves as chairman, president and CEO of Warren American Oil Company, founded by his father; his wife Suzanne (pictured) is the company's executive vice president. He began his interest in the sport of thoroughbred racing when he and his father attended Del Mar; he bought he first racehorse in 1983. By the far the best horse Warren has ever owned was Saint Liam, who won the Donn Handicap, Stephen Foster, Whitney Handicap, Woodward and Breeders' Cup Classic en route to Horse of the Year honors in 2005.

Breeder: Westbury Stables

Alfonso and Nora Figliolia, longtime residents of New York now find themselves the owners of a thriving and suddenly successful Thoroughbred breeding farm, Westbury Stables, in Marion County, Florida, whose county seat is Ocala, in the middle of Florida’s primary Thoroughbred-raising country. The success for the Figliolias has been two-fold. Some 15 years ago, Nora was diagnosed with a debilitating auto-immune disease and it was suggested by a family friend and physician that she try therapeutic riding. Alfonso bought two quarter horses for that purpose and the love affair with horses was under way. Westbury Stables also races some horses, all of whom run for Race for the Cure, a non-profit foundation dedicated to helping find a cure for cancer. What began as a 47-acre quiet farm has grown to a 225-acre breeding facility, all planned and built by Alfonso. He has been an industrial developer in New York for more than 50 years and is owner and chief executive officer of Sunset Industrial Park in New York. As the pair’s passion for horses has grown so has their broodmare band, now at 15, most of which are bred to Kentucky stallions. Denis of Cork’s dam, Unbridled Girl, was purchased at the 2004 Ocala Breeders Sales winter mixed sale for $95,000 in foal to Hennessy. A month after Denis of Cork’s victory in the Grade III Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, Westbury Stables was represented as breeder with another victory when Awesome Chic won the Grade III Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs by 4 1/2 lengths. Awesome Chic is by Awesome Again out of the A.P. Indy mare Trading, and is a prospect for the Grade I Kentucky Oaks on May 2 at Churchill Downs. In all, Westbury’s 2005 foal crop consists of seven foals and has produced five starters, 4 winners, of which three are graded stakes winners. In Westbury’s six years of operation, Nora has been at every foaling and believes that a strong faith has supported the husband and wife through the unpredictability of breeding and raising quality racehorses. The Figliolias are quick to give equal credit to their staff, which includes Farm Manager Melissa Bailey, veterinarian Dr. H. Armon Blair Jr., training gurus Nick and Jacqui de Meric and Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck of Summerfield Sales Agency. While the first Friday and Saturday of May likely will be like most weekends at Westbury Stables, the Figliolias are hoping it could be the ride of a lifetime for them.

Finish.... Date.....Race

5th 04.5.2008 Illinois Derby (GII) - Hawthorne
Never a factor.

1st 02.18.2008 Southwest (GIII) - Oaklawn Park
Closed from 18-lengths back, runaway winner

1st 01.19.2008 Allowance - Fair Grounds
Raced wide throughout, game effort in victory

1st 11.24.2007 Maiden Special Weight - Churchill Downs