Zito hopes to be dialed in as Derby favorite

Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

Nick Zito knows the good part of the Kentucky Derby as a two-time winner.

He also knows the heartbreak of America’s greatest race.

Zito nearly joined fellow Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert as a three-time champ last year, when Ice Box overcame traffic trouble twice only to finish second, beaten 21/2 lengths by Super Saver.

Now, after a winter of ups and downs on the Derby trail, Zito is back at Churchill Downs with Dialed In, the likely favorite for Saturday’s 137th Derby.

“There’s a little bit more pressure when you’ve got the favorite,” he said, standing trackside in between rain showers on Monday. “As long as everything is going good, I’m OK with it. It’s flattering to have the favorite.”

That role was all set to go to Uncle Mo until the colt finished a stunning third in the Wood Memorial, the first loss of his career and one that turned the Derby into a wide-open race.

“That’s what happens in our business,” Zito said, “as soon as you fall off, there are not that many people there. His race wasn’t that bad in the Wood. He’s still the 2-year-old champion and you got to give him respect.”

Dialed In didn’t exactly dominate his final tuneup, either. He edged Shackleford by a head to win last month’s Florida Derby, making him 3 for 4.

“He’s still the only horse who’s won two major races,” Zito said, noting Dialed In’s first win of the year came in the Holy Bull Stakes.

“Right now, this is a great horse,” owner Robert LaPenta said after the Florida Derby.

And Dialed In has prior experience at Churchill Downs, where he won his first career start by a half-length in November.

In October 2001, LaPenta approached Zito at a horse sale asking how they could get into business together. By then, LaPenta had been in racing for three years as a partner of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino.

As passionate and outspoken as Zito can be, LaPenta is the opposite, which makes him a good client.

“He stays completely out of the training of the horses,” Zito said. “Most of my owners do the same, but I think because he buys a lot of horses, you really can’t overmanage because then you probably get sidetracked.”