February 24 - Even though American racehorse trainer Richard Mandella has had an exemplary career so far highlighted by his induction into the coveted National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2001, he must have winced when he watched a horse he once trained win the 2009 Kentucky Derby.

Mandella trained Kentucky-bred gelding Mine That Bird for one race before he was sold the winter before last year's Derby. On a hunch, the thoroughbred's new trainer, Chip Woolley, entered him in the big race as a 50/1 longshot who then proceeded to stun the horseracing world by romping home first.

And perhaps this is the reason Mandella seems to be on a mission to win this year's Kentucky Derby with talented 3-year-old colt, Setsuko. Although the Derby is still months away, Mandella has chosen to kick off the Derby, and maybe even the Triple Crown trail in Saturday's $150,000 Sham Stakes (Gr 3).

The Sham Stakes will mark Setsuko's stakes debut and his sixth career race. Although it took the colt five tries to beat the maidens, when he finally managed it last year December at Santa Anita Park in California (which will also host the Sham Stakes) he did so in fine style, crossing the line three lengths clear.

And in the runner's last race, a turf optional claimer over 1 1/8 miles on January 27 this year, he finished a close second. Setsuko's last two runs have proved to Mandella that the colt has a penchant for longer distances, which is why the Sham should indicate whether the Kentucky Derby is realistic or not.

While during his career Mandella has won just about every major race there is, including six Breeders' Cup races, the Santa Anita Handicap three times, the Del Mar Futurity twice, the Goodwood Stakes three times and even the prestigious Dubai World Cup, thus far the Kentucky Derby has eluded him.

The 59-year-old trainer admitted that he will send out a starter in this year's Kentucky Derby ' only if he thought he had a chance.' 'It's not like I don't think about it,' he said. The trainer said that he had no ill-feelings about Mine That Bird's triumph, considering the gelding finished 12th in his one and only race.