Derby Hopefuls
Fierce Wind
Trainer: Rick Violette, Jr.
Owner: Halsey Minor
Breeder: Will Farish, Hilbert Thoroughbreds, and Menard Thoroughbreds
Nick Zito trains a number of Derby hopefuls for Robert V. LaPenta including War Pass and Cool Coal Man, but he also trains Fierce Wind who was sold by LaPenta to Four Roses Thoroughbreds and then to Halsey Minor. It took Fierce Wind three tries to break his maiden, but increased distance led to better results and he has won three straight including a professional victory in the Sam F. Davis. A mile and a quarter should be easily reachable for this son of Dixie Union who is out of the A. P. Indy mare, Post Parade. However, after being near the pace for the first half of the Florida Derby (gr. I), he tired badly to finish tenth.
Auction History
| Year | Sale | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Keeeneland September Yearling Sale | $90,000 |
Racing History
| Date | Race Name | Distance | Finish | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/29/08 | Florida Derby (gr. I) | 9f | 10 | $0 |
| 02/16/08 | Sam F. Davis | 8.5f | 1 | $105,000 |
| 01/21/08 | Allowance | 9f | 1 | $24,900 |
| 12/16/07 | MSW | 1M 70Y | 1 | $12,000 |
| 10/07/07 | MSW | 6f | 5 | $1,200 |
| 08/29/07 | MSW | 5.5f | 4 | $3,100 |
| Record: 6 Starts, 3-0-0 | Total Earnings: $146,200 | ||||
| Race Records provided by equineline.com | ||||
More on BloodHorse.com:
Big Brown Huge in Florida Derby Rout
IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr.'s highly-touted Big Brown proved that all the hype was justified, as he led from start to finish in the $1-million Florida Derby, crushing 11 rivals to win by five lengths March 29 at Gulfstream Park while making just his third career start.
Twelve Drawn For Intriguing Fla. Derby
A full field of 12 was drawn for the March 29 Florida Derby (gr. I), which on paper has turned out to be the most intriguing prep race for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) this year.
Zito Works a Pair of Contenders
Halsey Minor's 3-year-old Fierce Wind drilled a bullet half-mile in 46 4/5 over a fast track at Palm Meadows March 24 for trainer Nick Zito in preparation for the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park March 29.
Ky. Derby Trail: Cut Off at the Pass
So, the undefeated 2-year-old champion, sent off at 1-20 in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III), had a fever the week before the race and the public was unaware of it. There is nothing that can be said here that won't be said in the weeks to come by those who bet War Pass, including the bridge jumpers, and those who had invested in him emotionally.
Ky. Derby Trail: Fierce Wind Blows
Three-year-olds around the country continue to get "zapped" by the Derby trail's three-headed monster. You know, zap, as in Nick Zito, Steve Asmussen, and Todd Pletcher.
Fierce Wind Flies to Sam Davis Win
The Nick Zito trainee won his stakes debut Feb. 16 at Tampa Bay Downs.
| Fierce Wind | Dixie Union | Dixieland Band |
| She's Tops | ||
| Post Parade | A. P. Indy | |
| Spanish Parade |
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