BloodHorse.com

Z Fortune was favored at 3-5 in the Rebel Stakes, but could do no better than 5th. The New York bred Z Fortune started off his career in modest fashion, easily winning a state-bred maiden and entry level allowance late last year. A switch to open company in the January 12 LeComte (gr. III) yielded another win. The first blemish on his record came when second in the Risen Star (gr. III) to stablemate Pyro, certainly no disgrace as that one has gone on to distinguish himself with a win in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II). And after finishing fifth in the Rebel (gr. II), trainer Steve Asmussen was at a loss to explain the poor performance. Z Fortune bounced back in the Arkansas Derby (gr. II), with a solid second after a wide trip.

Auction History

Year	Sale	Price
2006	Fasig-Tipton July Selected Yearling Sale	$80,000

Racing History

Date	Race Name	Distance	Finish	Earnings
04/12/08	Arkansas Derby (gr. II)	9f	2	$200,000
03/15/08	Rebel Stakes (gr. II)	8.5f	5	$9,000
02/09/08	Risen Star (gr. III)	8.5f	2	$60,000
01/12/08	LeComte (gr. III)	8f	1	$60,000
12/07/07	New York bred Allowance	1 M 70 yds	1	$30,000
10/20/07	New York bred Maiden	7f	1	$27,600
Record: 6 Starts, 3-2-0 | Total Earnings: $386,600
Race Records provided by equineline.com

By Claire Novak

Looking for Robby Albarado? You won't find him at home during the week of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). From charity appearances to celebrity events, Albarado, 34, will be out on the town in Louisville, the city whose residents have embraced him as one of their own.

After riding his first winner in 1990 at Evangeline Downs, Albarado steadily improved his career to become a solid presence on the Kentucky and Louisiana riding circuits. Still, his national breakout seasons did not come until 2007 and 2008, when he teamed up with trainer Steve Asmussen as the regular rider for Horse of the Year Curlin. He even went to Dubai, winning the world's richest race—the $6 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I)—in March. Just before the World Cup, he announced his formation of the Robby Albarado Foundation, a non-profit organization that will benefit socially- and economically-challenged individuals in and around the Louisville area.

In spite of his affinity for the city, Albarado is missing a victory in the race that makes Louisville famous. He'll be chasing that win in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) aboard Z Fortune for Asmussen while making his 10th start in the race; his best finish was a third-place effort aboard Steppenwolfer in 2006.

Height: 5'6"

Weight: 110

Career wins: 3,722

Born: Sept. 11, 1973, Lafayette, La.

Residence: Louisville, Ky.

Family: wife Kimber; sons Kaden and Kash; daughter Larkin

Favorite food: Cajun

Favorite sport: “Golf—my best score was a 72—and basketball, which I play for fun.”

Most hated chore: “I don’t do much around the house, to be honest with you. But there’s not much I hate to do.”  

I can't live without: “My cell phone.”

The fastest I’ve ever driven was: “140 miles per hour, about five years ago. I was coming back from Keeneland and wanted to see how fast I could go without getting scared.”

If I could trade careers with another professional athlete, I would: “Be Tiger Woods. That’s easy.”

Another rider I admire is: “Martin Brown. He’s 67 years old, as fit as I am, and can ride as many a day as he wants. He rides in Louisiana and I’ve known him my whole career, almost my whole life.”

One thing I wish people knew about jockeys: “We’re very generous athletes. We take time out for our fans and try to accommodate them as much as possible.”

The best part about winning the Derby this year would be:“Dedicating the win to the city of Louisville. The people here have embraced me with the kind of affection I felt only in Louisiana, and I’d be proud to win for them.”