So, Who Is Myung Kwon Cho?

That’s what I was asking myself after this weekend, so I “googled” him.

An owner who now trains his own horses, Cho once claimed a colt named Video Ranger for $40,000—a wily investment, as that son of Cox’s Ridge later finished second to Mister Frisky in the G1 Santa Anita Derby and fourth to Unbridled in the 1990 Kentucky Derby. He also raced Video Ranger’s son Nationalore—perhaps racing’s richest maiden (with earnings of $318,227 in 26 starts), who finished third to Favorite Trick in the 1997 BC Juvenile, and ninth to Real Quiet in the 1998 Kentucky Derby.

The 66-year-old Korean-born Cho (who also runs a clothing export business) is currently blessed with two top 2-year-old prospects—the Dixieland Band filly Palacio de Amor who has twice finished second behind Stardom Bound, most recently in the G1 Oak Leaf, and the Street Cry colt Street Hero who won the G1 Norfolk on Sunday. Palacio de Amor (a Foolish Pleasure damline descendent) was an $85,000 Keeneland September 2007 purchase, while Street Hero is a homebred.

From reading articles about him here and here, I’m intrigued—and impressed. I guess there’s hope for the “little” guy, and I for one will be rooting hard for him to fulfill his dreams with Palacio de Amor and Street Hero. Congratulations, Mr. Cho!