Post position: 8
Odds: 20-1
Jockey: Jose Lezcano, 23, a Panama native, will ride in 2nd Derby. Was 8th on Deputy Glitters in ’06.
Owner: Team Valor International (owned by Barry Irwin) and Vision Racing (owned by Brandon and Diannah Perry and John and Jill Stephens)
Trainer: Mike Matz, 57, won Derby with first (and only) starter, ill-fated Barbaro, in ’06. Won equestrian team silver medal in 1996 Olympics at Atlanta.
Breeder(s): Reiley McDonald
Bloodline: By Grand Slam-Scarlet Tango, by French Deputy
Color and gender: chestnut colt
Career record: 6 starts, 3-1-1, $250,760
Road to the Derby: Won allowance race at Gulfstream Park Jan. 4; Third in Grade 3 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds Feb. 9; Won Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct March 8; 5th in Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 12.
Potential trouble: Needs to prove himself against top company.
Meaning of name: Visionaire is a natural extension of the company name Vision Racing, according to Brandon Perry with Vision Racing.
Credits: Button - Camille Weber, Herald-Leader; profile - Alicia Wincze, Rob Kandt, Erik Miller, Herald-Leader; name - Linda Niemi, Herald-Leader; photo - Visionaire, with Jose Lezcano, won The Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Race Track on March 8, 2008. Adam Coglianese | AP Photo/New York Racing Association
