Sano Star Gunnevera Goes Easy Five Furlongs

Trainer Antonio Sano wants this moment for more than just himself.

Despite a troubled history with his homeland, Sano still speaks with absolute pride about his native Venezuela. It is a country that respects and reveres the very prize he takes aim at in eight days. And whatever he may feel should his charge Gunnevera reign in the first leg of the Triple Crown come May 6, he knows the impact will be more than personal.

"The Kentucky Derby is very important. The race is very important for the people," Sano said. "Right now Venezuela is having some bad moments. For the people, it would be very good to win the Kentucky Derby—to be a gift for Venezuela."

Blissfully unaware of the weight upon his stout shoulders, Gunnevera went about his final serious paces in advance of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) April 28, covering an easy five furlongs in 1:03 3/5 at Churchill Downs.

With rain expected to hit the area Friday night into Saturday morning, many trainers emptied the barn in order to beat the deluge.

Sano was among those, shifting Gunnevera's work up a day from his original schedule. He was rewarded with near-perfect weather conditions as the Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) winner went through splits of :14, :26 1/5, :39, and :51 4/5 with a gallop out in 1:18.20.

"It was excellent. I wanted to go in close to 1:04," Sano said. "His last work at Gulfstream Park West (five furlongs in 1:01 April 21) was very strong. But right now, I just need to maintain my horse and make sure he comes into the race sound."

Gunnevera's ascent in nine starts has helped shine a light on his affable trainer's remarkable backstory. Considered a racetrack legend in his native country, Sano racked up 3,338 victories in Venezuela before leaving for good after being kidnapped for a second time in 2009.

Starting over in Florida, Sano quietly built up his stable—quietly, that is, until Gunnevera dragged his conditioner's professional prowess and harrowing personal journey into the headlines with his multiple graded stakes winning form. 

Owned by Peacock Racing Stables, Gunnevera used his late turn of foot to take the Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) and $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (G3) in his 2-year-old season. Following his Fountain of Youth Stakes triumph, the chestnut son of Dialed In   was mentioned as one who could vie for favoritism on the first Saturday in May.

A third-place effort in the Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) April 1 took the string out of that notion, but Sano maintains neither the pace scenario nor the Gulfstream Park track that day were conducive to the colt firing his best run.

"He's a very consistent horse and after he won the Fountain of Youth we were thinking 'should we go to the Florida Derby?' I thought 'no problem,'" Sano said. "But the post position (10) was so bad for him and the track was not so fast. Today, this track (at Churchill) is much different. This track is very good for my horse."

Whether Gunnevera gets the pace he needs to sweep past 19 others on Derby day is questionable. What is not is Sano's gratitude for simply being in his current position.

"I'm very proud, this is a very exciting time in my life," he said.