[OLD HEAD]

Gayego

Trainer: Paulo Lobo

Paulo Lobo is a third generation horseman, being the son of 7 time leading Brazilian trainer Selmar Alves Lobo and the grandson of 13 time leading trainer Trajano Athaide. He began his career in Brazil in 1987 working for his father, first as a groom for 2 years and then as an Assistant Trainer. In 1995 Paulo ventured out on his own with 30 horses. From 1995 – 2000 he won 203 races including several graded stakes. He was the youngest trainer in Brazil to win a standing award by win percentage. In January of 2001, Paulo left Brazil for the United States. He won his first race the following March 3rd at Santa Anita. With just 6 horses in his care, he immediately began to make a name for himself. Among Paulo’s 6 horses was Farda Amiga, who was to become the champion 3-year-old filly of 2002 after winning the Kentucky Oaks and the Alabama, and finishing 2nd behind Azeri in the Breeder’s Cup Distaff. Paulo has trained Pico Central who won: The San Carlos (GII), the Carter (GI), the Metropolitan Mile (GI) and the Vosburgh G1. Paulo captured The Honeymoon Breeder’s Cup Handicap (GII) two years in a row, first in 2003 with Quero Quero and in 2004 with Lovely Rafaela. He also twice won The Mervin Leroy HCP. (GII) with Ace Blue in 2005 and Molengão in 2007, who also won The San Antonio Handicap (GII), and finished 2nd in The Santa Anita Handicap (GI) in 2007. Other stakes winners trained by Lobo include Viernes and Ilha Grande. Paulo currently has 35 horses in training at Hollywood Park. He and his wife Carolina live in Pasadena with their two-year-old twin daughters.

Jockey: Mike Smith

A native of Roswell, New Mexico, Smith was introduced to racing by his uncle, who trained horses, and his father, who rode for a short time in Arizona. He started riding races in New Mexico at age 11 and took out his license when he was 16. He was the leading rider in the country in 1994 with 316 wins, and he has won numerous accolades including membership in the Racing Hall of Fame, the Eclipse Award twice, the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award and the Venezia Award. After eleven tries, Smith won his first Derby aboard 50-1 longshot Giacomo in 2005. Some of his best mounts include Holy Bull, Lure, Unbridled's Song, Inside Information, Prairie Bayou and Cherokee Run.

Owner: Cubanacan Stables

Carlos Juelle and Jose Prieto both immigrated from Cuba more than 20 years ago, and they currently only have one horse in training with Gayego. Juelle is an accountant from Rolling Hills, Calif. Gayego's name derives from the natives of Galicia, a region in northern Spain.

Breeder: Hargus and Sandra Sexton

Sexton entered the Thoroughbred industry in the early 1980s. He was a close associate of Ben Walden Jr. during the time he owned Vinery in Midway, Ky., and helped in arranging the acquisition of such Vinery stallions as Black Tie Affair (Ire. Sexton acquired one of their broodmares when Walden purchased the stakes-placed winner Lady Godolphin, a daughter of Son Ange in foal to Bob’s Dusty, for $4,200 at the 1986 Fasig-Tipton November mixed sale. From Lady Godolphin, Sexton bred Sri Pekan, a son of Red Ransom who became a multiple group 2 winner in England. After standing at Coolmore Stud in Ireland, Sri Pekan was sold in 2002 to the Turkish Jockey Club and today is a leading sire in Turkey. Sri Pekan’s North American runners include multiple grade 1 winner Amorama (Fr), multiple grade 2 winner Whilly (Ire) and grade 2 winner Champion Lodge (Ire). Sexton also co-bred Corinthian with Ben Walden Jr.’s Gracefield, who sold the Pulpit colt at the 2004 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale to Centennial Farms for $385,000. With Walden, Sexton owns Corinthian’s two-year-old full sister, Be Fruitful, whom he expects will join their broodmare band in 2008. The Sextons today own seven or eight broodmares with Walden and have another 30-35 broodmares of their own. They keep two to three horses in training and also own three farms around Versailles, Ky. Together and in partnership, the Sextons have bred four starters in the Kentucky Derby: Crypto Star, Desert Hero (Corinthian’s half-brother), Ragtime Rebel and Valhol.

Finish.... Date.... Race

1st 04.12.2008 Arkansas Derby (GII) - Oaklawn Park
Struck the front entering stretch, held gamely in victory

2nd 03.15.2008 San Felipe (GII) - Santa Anita
Vied for early lead, took over in stretch, caught late

1st 01.20.2008 San Pedro Stakes - Santa Anita
Sat off hot early pace, rallied late, drew away at finish

2nd 12.28.2007 Allowance - Santa Anita
Off slowly, made late bid to get second

1st 11.18.2007 Maiden Special Weight - Hollywood Park
Contested hot pace from start, widened lead late