[OLD HEAD]

Visionaire

Trainer: Michael Matz

Born January 23, 1951 and a resident of Unionville, Pennsylvania, Matz has a lifelong history with horses. A successful national and international riding career has earned Michael Matz the distinction of being the all time leading money winning rider and member of the Show Jumping Millionaire's Club with over $1,700,000 earned in prize money. A three-time Olympian and four-time Pan American Games veteran, Matz has won the U. S. Equestrian Team (USET) Show Jumping Championship a record six times. He earned a Team Silver medal in the Atlanta Games and was also honored by being asked to carry the U.S. flag in the closing ceremonies that same year. Matz has turned his horsemanship to throroughbreds in recent years, and has continued his success in the latest endeavour. He won the Kentucky Derby in 2006 with legendary Barbaro, his only Kentucky Derby starter to date.

Jockey: Jose Lezcano

Lezcano graduated from the Laffit Pincay, Jr. Jockey School in his native Panama. He began riding at age 16 and rode two years in his home country before coming to the United States in March, 2004, starting his career at Gulfstream Park. Since coming to the States, Lezcano has also rode at Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands, finishing in the top 10 at both tracks. His biggest wins to date have come aboard R Lady Joy in the Delaware Oaks (GII) and Visionaire in the Gotham (GIII).

Owner: Team Valor & Vision Racing LLC

Team Valor International LLC is a syndicate group led by Barry Irwin. Irwin was born in Los Angeles in 1943 and currently resides in Versailles, KY. He has a wife, Kathleen, and a daughter, Chloe. He wrote for the DRF and Blood-Horse in the 1960's and 70's. In 1987 Irwin formed Clover Racing Stable with partner Jeff Siegel; Clover Racing evolved into Team Valor in 1992. Team Valor syndicates horses to multiple owners for a share in the expenses and profits. Team Valor has races two horses in the Kentucky Derby: Captain Bodgit (2nd in 1997) and The Deputy (14th in 2000); they decided to skip last year's Kentucky Derby with Santa Anita Derby (GI) runner-up King of the Roxy.

Vision Racing, LLC was formed in 2007 by managing members, Brandon and Diannah Perry and John and Jill Stephens. The mission of Vision Racing, LLC is to provide new investors the opportunity for an exciting, successful, and lucrative experience by participating at the highest leel in the Thoroughbred industry. The Perry's own and operate Paragon Farms, LLC in Lexington, Kentucky, which is a commercial Thoroughbred breeding operation. The Stephen's own and operate Stephens Thoroughbreds, a training facility in Morriston, Florida. They have broke and trained notable horses such as Barbaro, Voodoo Dancer, Dynever, and most recently Ever A Friend and Kentucky Derby hopeful Visionaire.

Breeder: Reiley McDonald

Reiley McDonald, a native of Uppercoe, Maryland, has lived in Lexington for over 20 years. After he graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Animal Sciences, he worked at various tracks in Maryland as an exercise rider and assistant trainer. He served as an officer of Fasig Tipton before buying into Eaton Sales in 1991. He is a dedicated hands-on horseman.


Finish.... Date.... Race

5th 04.12.2008 Toyota Blue Grass (GI) - Keeneland
Last early, passed tiring rivals

1st 03.8.2008 Gotham (GIII) - Aqueduct
Gave huge rally in stretch to win on the wire

3rd 02.9.2008 Risen Star (GIII) - Fair Grounds
Raced evenly through, lacked closing bid

1st 01.4.2008 Allowance - Gulfstream Park
Bumped hard at start, closed well and drew away at end

1st 11.23.2007 Maiden Special Weight - Laurel Park
Raced wide, closed with a rush, much the best

2nd 10.7.2007 Maiden Special Weight - Delaware Park
Passed tiring rivals, second best