Post position: 19
Odds:15-1
Jockey: Mike Smith, 42, will ride in 15th Derby. Won on Giacomo in ’05. Has been second three times.
Owner: Cubanacan Stables is owned by Carlos A. Juelle and Jose N. Prieto, both native Cubans who live in southern California. Prieto is a practicing physician.
Trainer: Paulo Lobo, 39, is a Brazil native who lives in Pasadena, Calif. It is his first Derby, but he won the Kentucky Oaks in 2002 with long shot Farda Amiga.
Breeder(s): Gary and Marlene Howard and Bruce Dunmore
Bloodline: By Stormy Jack - Molly’s Prospector, by Native Prospector
Color and gender: Chestnut colt
Career record: 5 starts, 3-2-0 $723,420
Road to the Derby: Won San Pedro Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 20th, 2nd Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes March 15th, Won Grade 2 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn on April 12th.
Potential trouble: Hasn’t beaten top company.
Meaning of name: Gayego, named by his owners, Cuban immigrants Carlos Juelle, a California-based accountant, and Jose Prieto, for a region in northern Spain.
Credits: Button: Camille Weber, Herald-Leader; profile - Alicia Wincze, Rob Kandt, Erik Miller, Herald-Leader; name - Linda Niemi, Herald-Leader; photo - Gayego and jockey Mike Smith took the lead in the Arkansas Derby on April 12, 2008. Danny Johnston | AP
