Zayas expects Gunnevera to run well in Kentucky Derby

Edgard Zayas, the second-leading rider at Gulfstream Park, has played an important role in the development of leading Kentucky Derby contender Gunnevera.

Zayas has regularly worked Gunnevera since he was 2 and was most recently aboard the horse for his two Florida works before he headed to Churchill Downs. Javier Castellano, Gunnevera’s regular rider, has the mount Saturday.

“He’s a really nice horse,” said Zayas, 23. “He’s very smart. He knows what he’s doing all the time. He never gets tired. After the work, the gallop-out, he comes back and doesn’t breathe that deeply. He’s definitely going to love the Kentucky Derby distance. He’s going to love that mile and a quarter.”

Zayas said Gunnevera has always been a good-natured horse.

“He’s cool to work with,” he said. “When he’s in the barn, he’s nice. Once he goes to the track, he starts getting all happy. He’s very intelligent. When he goes back to the barn, he’s back to being a [quiet] horse. On the track, he’s very active, jumping, very happy.”

Zayas said he likes the transition Gunnevera has made from ages 2 to 3.

“I think he’s matured a lot,” he said. “He still has the same style of running. He starts kind of slow and grinds them down. I think he’s just matured a lot. He’s bigger now. But he’s the same way in the mornings. He’s always been a very nice horse.”

Zayas will be riding at Gulfstream on Saturday but will be paying close attention to Gunnevera.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “I hope he gets that win for [trainer Antonio] Sano and his country. It would be really great.”

Sano is a native of Venezuela.