Nick Zito Birthdate: Feb. 6, 1948 Birthplace: New York City Residence: Garden City, N.Y. Family: wife, Kim; daughter, Sara; son, Alexander.

2008 Gulfstream Record

Career:

• Inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2005, Zito rode the wave started by 2007 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Eclipse Award winner War Pass to a tie for third-place in the 2008 Gulfstream standings 

• After a couple of seasons filled with tough-luck losses and close-call finishes, Zito broke out with wins by Cool Coal Man in the Fountain of Youth Stakes and Commentator in the Richter Scale Sprint Handicap. The latter went on to win the Whitney for the second time in his career as well as the Massachusetts Handicap. Cool Coal Man and Anak Nakal also brought Zito back to the Kentucky Derby after a two-year absence and the front-running victory by Gulfstream alum Da’ Tara in the Belmont Stakes gave Zito his first Triple Crown race win since Birdstone won the Belmont in 2004. The winter following that victory turned out to be the best Gulfstream meet of Zito’s career. He captured four stakes, including his first Florida Derby victory with High Fly after 18 previous attempts 

• He has won two Kentucky Derbys, a Preakness, two Breeders’ Cup races and two Belmonts. Both Belmont wins kept horses from sweeping the Triple Crown and Birdstone’s win was followed by a victory in the Travers Stakes 

• Zito managed Bird Town, Birdstone’s half-sister, to 3-year-old filly championship of 2003 ...

• On March 24, 2001, sent out two horses, Albert the Great and AP Valentine, to set Hialeah Park track records 

• Won 2000 Donn Handicap with Stephen Got Even

• Other top runners have been The Cliff’s Edge, Suave Prospect, Greenwood Lake, Najran, Halory Hunter and Thirty Six Red

Other:  Would go to racetrack with his father, once an exercise rider for trainer Max Hirsch and a chauffer for New York Mayor Robert Wagner, as a child growing up near Aqueduct ... Started at track at age 15 as hotwalker for Buddy Jacobson ... Advanced to become assistant trainer to John Campo and Leroy Jolley before branching out on his own in 1972 with stable of two horses ... First winner was Palais at Liberty Bell in December, 1972 ... He and wife Kim are active in Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.