The grey son of Holy Bull took up residence in Hollywood Park’s stables when he began his racing carrer last year. Although he had not visited the Winner’s Circle since winning his first race in 2004, local rooters knew that traffic and bad racing luck had prevented him from showing what he could do in the seven starts he had leading up to the Derby. His best finish was Dec. 18 when he ran a close second to Declan’s Moon in the Hollywood Futurity at Hollywood Park.

Giacomo, who is owned by Jerry Moss, co-founder of A&M Records with Herb Alpert, is trained by John Shirreffs who bases all his horses at Hollywood Park. Giacomo is expected to stay back east for the Preakness and the Belmont before returning to his home stable at Hollywood Park.

Moss and his wife Ann named Giacomo after the nine-year-old son of recording artist “Sting,” whose band, “Police,” was one of A&M Records’ most popular acts. Jockey Mike Smith has ridden Giacomo throughout his two- and three-year-old seasons.

The Kentucky Derby is the iconic event run the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. Coincidentally, Hollywood Park is owned by Churchill Downs, Inc.