[OLD HEAD]

Z Fortune

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Asmussen's training career began with both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses in New Mexico in 1986. He has won training titles at Lone Star Park, Keeneland, Fair Grounds, Churchill Downs, Remington Park, Sam Houston, and Retama Park, and is the all-time leading trainer at Lone Star. He was born into a racing family - his father, Keith, is a former jockey; his mother, Marilyn, is a trainer, and brother Cash was a champion rider in the U.S. and Europe. He has had seven starters in the Derby: Fifty Stars in 2001, Private Emblem in 2002, Quintons Gold Rush in 2004, Storm Treasure and Private Vow in 2006, and Curlin and Zanjero last year; Curlin went onto capture the Preakness and Breeders' Cup Classic en route to being named Horse of the Year. Asmussen also won the 2005 Kentucky Oaks with Summerly.

Jockey: 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. Gomez became Pletcher's go-to rider when John Velazquez was injured during the 2006 Keeneland spring meet. Last year Gomez broke Jerry Bailey's record for number of stakes races won in a single year by taking over 70 stakes races. He also captured the Kentucky Oaks aboard Rags to Riches.

Owner: Zayat Stables, LLC

Zayat Stables LLC is owned by Ahmed Zayat. Zayat is the CEO and Chairman of Al Ahram Beverages, a major manufacturer and distributor in Egypt. He has been involved in buying horses at auction for just a few years but has always had an interest in horses. Zayat Stable has over 100 horses dispersed amongst trainers Bob Baffert, Bill Mott, Mark Casse, Dale Romans, Patrick Biancone, Todd Pletcher, Tony Dutrow, and Rick Dutrow, Jr. Notable horses having sported the Zayat silks include Point Ashley, Got the Last Laugh, E Z Warrior and 2007 Kentucky Oaks starter High Again. Zayat owns over a dozen broodmares and has shown an interest in someday standing stallions.

Breeder: Delahanty Stock Farm

Delahanty Farm, breeder of Z Fortune, is owned by Frank Stella and is located in Millbrook, N.Y.


Finish.... Date.... Race

2nd 04.12.2008 Arkansas Derby (GII) - Oaklawn Park
Wide throughout, made sustained run in stretch, nearly caught winner

5th 03.15.2008 Rebel Stakes (GII) - Oaklawn Park
Empty when asked for run

2nd 02.9.2008 Risen Star (GIII) - Fair Grounds
Stalked pace, led in the stretch, overtaken late by Pyro

1st 01.12.2008 Lecomte Stakes - Fair Grounds
Sat off pace, closed well late, kept to task in lane

1st 12.7.2007 Allowance - Aqueduct Charts
Led through, drew away when asked

1st 10.19.2007 Maiden Special Weight - Belmont Park
Much the best, easy winner