JC / Railbird - They Come From the South

Thanks to commenter Dylbert for mentioning Canonero II and giving me another excuse to dive into the Sports Illustrated Vault. The 1971 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner’s name has been bubbling up lately in relation to mystery Peruvian horse Tomcito, scheduled to start in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream on Saturday.
The two are terrific racing stories: Both Kentucky-breds, each was purchased for a modest price at a Keeneland sale and shipped to South America, where both became winners. Canonero, however, arrived in the United States two weeks before the Kentucky Derby, losing four days training time in quarantine, and little was known of his record when he went to post at Churchill. His 3 3/4-length Derby upset was considered a fluke, a notion dispelled when he won the Preakness in record time. Canonero then headed to New York to try for the Triple Crown, where he stunned fans by finishing fourth in the Belmont as the 3-5 favorite.
More is known about Tomcito: The winner of the 1 1/2-mile Derby Nacional in 2007 has been working in Florida since February and his races can be viewed on YouTube. Whether the Street Cry colt is good enough for the Kentucky Derby — well, like Canonero on the first Saturday in May, no one knows yet. Expect to hear a lot about the Pride of Venezuela, though, if the Pride of Peru quickens Derby dreams with a strong showing this weekend.