Tom Pedulla is interviewing outstanding homeowners, trainers, and jockeys as they journey the Highway to the 149th Kentucky Derby (G1) offered by Woodford Reserve on Could 6 at Churchill Downs.

This week’s installment options Luis Gavignano, whose Lugamo Racing Secure co-owns Congruent  with Tami Bobo. They bought the grey Tapit   colt for $350,000 on the Ocala Breeders’ Gross sales March 2-12 months-Olds in Coaching Sale.

Congruent has gained three of 9 begins with a pair of third-place finishes for earnings of $240,825 in his younger profession for South Florida-based coach Antonio Sano. He positioned himself on the Derby path by capturing the March 4 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes on Turfway Park’s Tapeta floor to earn 20 qualifying factors.

Congruent can safe a spot within the Derby beginning gate with a powerful displaying within the $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on Saturday again at Turfway. He looms as a major contender in that 1 1/8-mile contest, which awards qualifying factors to the highest 5 finishers on a 100-40-30-20-10 foundation. Sonny Leon retains the mount from the Battaglia. That identify ought to sound acquainted since Leon pulled one of many nice upsets in racing historical past when Wealthy Strike  shocked the world at 80.80-1 in final 12 months’s Derby.

Gavignano, 55, and his two sons, Luis Jr., 22, and Andres, 18, are concerned in a number of industries. The native of Venezuela mentioned his ardour for racing, Congruent, and Leon’s potential influence as a part of a question-and-answer session carried out on behalf of America’s Finest Racing.

PEDULLA: How lengthy have you ever been concerned in racing?

GAVIGNANO: I have been a horse racing fanatic since my youth. I grew to become an proprietor in 2018. My enthusiasm and fervour for racing is one thing I can share with Claudia Diaz, who will quickly be my spouse.

PEDULLA: What do you get out of racing?

GAVIGNANO: I get pleasure from each single facet of proudly owning horses and horse racing, from the start of a horse and seeing it develop and develop and prepare and appreciating its enchancment over time. It’s a thrill to go to the racetrack and watch it compete in opposition to different horses. It is vitally satisfying and rewarding to see a horse you invested a lot power and fervour into get first place in a race. The adrenaline and thrill cannot be beat.

PEDULLA: What satisfied you to purchase into Congruent?

GAVIGNANO: I’ve at all times been a Tapit fan. His offspring have been very profitable. Once we noticed him on the OBS sale and watched his exercise, we knew he was gifted and determined he was value shopping for.

PEDULLA: What went fallacious when Congruent ran eighth within the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) Offered by TAA at Keeneland?

GAVIGNANO: Once I suppose again on the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Congruent was not prepared. He was not skilled or mature sufficient. I additionally suppose he did not adapt effectively to the observe. The Juvenile turned out to be one of many races that was laborious, particularly for a horse that wanted extra time to develop and develop.

PEDULLA: Congruent went off at 16.50-1 odds when he gained the Battaglia. Have been you as shocked as others by the upset?

GAVIGNANO: It wasn’t a shock. Primarily based on his final exercises, we thought he had a great probability on an artificial observe and on the race distance.

PEDULLA: How do you consider Antonio Sano as a coach?

GAVIGNANO: Antonio Sano has been within the horse enterprise for therefore a few years and has had such an achieved profession. Even again in Venezuela, he was a champion for a few years. Once I began Lugamo Racing, I adopted him on social media for some time and I noticed his achievements. Then, once I met him in particular person, I knew he can be nice to coach a few of my horses. Sano has the capability to make everybody really feel like household. He’s so welcoming and pleasant. That capability, combined along with his in depth information, makes the right coach recipe, for my part. 

PEDULLA: What does Sonny Leon imply to Congruent?

GAVIGNANO: Once we determined that Congruent needed to go to Turfway, we knew Sonny Leon was the correct jockey for Congruent. All of us knew what he did final 12 months when he gained the Kentucky Derby with Wealthy Strike. Sonny is an skilled jockey and is aware of the observe. Subsequently, we decided he was the right match and we have been proper.

PEDULLA: Since Congruent’s greatest victory got here on an all-weather floor, can he deal with grime?

GAVIGNANO: I really feel Congruent may be very adaptable on this approach. Wanting again, he gained a maiden particular weight on grime. The Laurel Futurity was additionally gained on moist grime. So I believe he can deal with completely different surfaces.

PEDULLA: Do you count on to win the Jeff Ruby?

GAVIGNANO: I really feel as a result of it’s on the identical observe we gained the Battaglia, he’ll give us an ideal race. Just a little additional distance will assist along with his efficiency. So undoubtedly we now have a great probability.

PEDULLA: What wouldn’t it imply when you may go on to the Derby and win it?

GAVIGNANO: Simply the truth that Congruent may qualify and go to the Derby is a good honor. I believe most individuals within the sport would agree with me that the Derby is the dream to attain. I can not even think about profitable. Simply the thought is surreal.