Go for Gin | |
---|---|
Sire | Cormorant |
Grandsire | His Majesty |
Dam | Never Knock |
Damsire | Stage Door Johnny |
Sex | Stallion |
Foaled | April 18, 1991 |
Country | United States |
Colour | Bay |
Breeder | Pamela duPont Darmstadt |
Owner | William J. Condren & Joseph M. Cornacchia |
Trainer | Nicholas Zito |
Record | 19: 5-7-2 |
Earnings | $1,380,866 |
Major wins | |
Remsen Stakes (1993) Kentucky Derby (1994) Preakness Stakes 2nd (1994) |
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Last updated on January 23, 2010 |
Remsen Stakes (1993)
Preview Stakes (1994)
Go for Gin (foaled April 18, 1991 in Kentucky) is an American thoroughbred racehorse best known as the winner of the 1994 Kentucky Derby. He was sired by Cormorant out of the dam Never Knock. He was ridden in the Derby by Chris McCarron, who had previously won the race on Alysheba.
Born in Kentucky in 1991, Go for Gin was bred by Pamela duPont Darmstadt and trained by Nick Zito, who also trained 1991 Kentucky Derby winner Strike the Gold.
In 1995, Go for Gin suffered a small tear of a tendon sheath in his left foreleg while working out at Belmont Park. This precipitated his retirement to stud.
Go for Gin is the second oldest living Kentucky Derby winner next to Sea Hero.
Go for Gin started 19 races, winning five and running in the money 14 times. Though he challenged for the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, he never won again, losing his last nine races.
The 120th Kentucky Derby was held on May 7, 1994, over a sloppy track. The race went off at 5:34 p.m. local time. Go for Gin entered the race at 9.10:1 odds, behind Holy Bull at 2.20, Brocco at 4.30, Tabasco Cat at 6.10, and Strodes Creek at 7.90. He started by ducking out, forcing Tabasco Cat into Brocco. By the 1/4 mile pole, Go for Gin moved up to second place behind Ulises. At the 1/2 mile pole, he led by half a length. As he entered the stretch, he increased the lead to four lengths. Strodes Creek and Blumin Affair both made late charges, closing the gap, but Go for Gin won by two lengths in a time of 2:03.72 and netted US$628,800 for the victory. Tabasco Cat finished sixth in this race but won that year's other two legs of the Triple Crown. Go for Gin placed second in both of those races.