Tomcito

Contenders

Trainer: Dante Zanelli
Jockey: Alan Garcia
Owner: Jet Set Racing Stable
Breeder: Chesapeake Farm & Darley

Tomcito garnered the "mystery horse" label after beginning his career in Peru. Adding to the mystique were his easy victories in two Peru's Classics, at 10 and 12 furlongs, despite the fact that he was only two years old. A son of Street Cry (IRE) who was bred in Kentucky, he was brought back to the States by trainer Dante Zanelli with the expressed intent of running in the Belmont (gr. I). But then he made his first U. S. start in the Florida Derby (gr. I), finishing a distant third to Big Brown. After failing to earn any graded money in the Lexington (gr. II), his connections entered, but were excluded from, the Kentucky Derby (gr. I). Interestingly, the original plans when the horse came from Peru were to run in the Belmont (gr. I), and now it looks like that could come to pass. Read more here.

Auction History

Year	Sale	Price
2006	Keeneland September Yearling Sale	$7,500

Racing History

Date	Race Name	Distance	Finish	Earnings
05/10/08	Peter Pan (gr. II)	9f	7	$834
04/19/08	Coolmore Lexington (gr. II)	8.5f	6	$0
03/29/08	Florida Derby (gr. I)	9 f	3	$100,000
11/17/07	Derby Nacional Peru (gr. I)	12 f	1	$28,156
10/20/07	Clasico Ricardo Ortiz	10 f	1	$18,619
09/23/07	Peruvian 2000 Guineas (gr. I)	8 f	2	$4,517
08/26/07	Allowance	6.5 f	1	$1,454
07/22/07	Maiden	5.5 f	1	$1,393
Record: 7 Starts, 4-1-1 \| Total Earnings: $154,139
Race Records provided by equineline.com

More on BloodHorse.com:

Belmont Profile: Tomcito

The jury is still out on Tomcito, but following throat surgery to correct a breathing problem, he might get another shot at stardom - and Big Brown - in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I)

Big Brown on Track Again; Tomcito Works

For the second day in a row since being treated for a slight quarter crack, Belmont Stakes (gr. I) favorite Big Brown was out on the track, galloping 1 1/8 miles at Belmont Park on Wednesday, May 28. The colt just jogged on Tuesday.

Ky. Derby Trail: A Vision at the Downs

With the Derby getting closer, we're doubling up this week to take a look at the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) and mostly to discuss what may turn out to be one of the most important works on this year's Derby trail.

Big Glen Could Upset Coolmore Lexington

For several 3-year-olds pointing toward the $325,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland, the April 19 event offers a final chance at graded earnings and entry into the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). But the horse whose form points to a likely win in the 1 1/16-mile event has no aspirations of making the Derby -- and he could spoil the plans of those who do when a field of 11 goes postward in the final Derby prep of the season.

Tomcito Preparing For Kentucky Derby

Jet Set Racing Stable's Tomcito, third in the Florida Derby (gr. I) in his United States racing debut, traveled to Churchill Downs April 9 for a test run over the track which the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) will be run May 3.

Ky. Derby Trail: Hot Brown on Derby Menu

By now, just about every superlative has been used to describe Big Brown's performance in the Florida Derby (gr. I). How many times do you think the word "freak" has been uttered since Saturday? Well, there is no doubt that the colt has accomplished freakish things in his brief career, but so did Curlin, and he couldn't win the Derby off three career starts.

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.

Unknowns Big Brown, Tomcito Set to Clash

Normally a grade I race like the Florida Derby would be pretty clear-cut, filled mostly with horses who have proven themselves. Not so this year; not with unknowns such as Big Brown and Tomcito, two of the most intriguing Triple Crown hopefuls seen in quite a while.

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.

Tomcito Invokes Memories of Canonero II

The mere mention of 1971 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes hero Canonero II to most horsemen from Latin America immediately invokes pride. Trainer Dante Zanelli Jr. is no different, and he has a healthy respect for the achievements of the Venezuelan star who swept the first two legs of the American Triple Crown. He's just not ready to compare his charge, Jetset Racing's Tomcito, to the legend.

Tomcito	Street Cry (IRE)	Machiavellian
		Helen Street (GB)
	Inside or Outside	Eastern Echo
		Dramatical