Strengths: Has shown amazing versatility coast-to-coast, never ducking competition and nearly always fires his best shot with a finish in the superfecta. He's been fantastically managed throughout his career, which includes a third-place finish in the 2002 Kentucky Derby. Remember that?

Weaknesses: His big wins are few and far between, dating back to a track-record setting performance at Arlington in the summer of 2005.

In The Genes: Sire, Dynaformer, was a track-record setter both on turf and dirt in New York and Kentucky. Not surprisingly, he made news this year for turf-turned-dirt superstar Barbaro, winner of the Kentucky Derby. Dam, Nice Gal, won 12 races in all, including a listed stakes.

Status: Winless in 2007, but second on the all-time earners list of active horses, it was discovered in mid-July that he had a slight fracture in the left front cannon bone. He was out of action for a few months and returned to the track in Feb., 2008, in Richard Mandella's Santa Anita-based barn. Retired September 21, 2008 at age 9.

 

Bet You Didn't Know: Joined Sprint kingpin Kona Gold as the only other five-time starter in Breeders' Cup history.