Edward Plesa, Jr.

Edward Plesa Jr. was born in 1949 in Seattle, Wash. His father, Edward Plesa Sr was a leading jockey in Detroit and Cleveland before becoming a trainer in the 1960s. "Eddie Sr." moved to Florida in 1971 when Calder opened to become a private trainer for Fred Hooper. His son, Eddie Jr., worked for his father and also apprenticed under Stan Hough and at Harbor View Farm. Plesa Jr. spent a year working in the racing office at Hialeah Park before returning to the back side to become a trainer.

Plesa Jr. was the trainer of Three Rings who won the Davona Dale (G1), Bonnie Miss (G1) and Acorn Stakes (G1) in addition to running in the Kentucky Derby (G1), where she faded to last. In 2013, Plesa Jr. won the Holy Bull (G3) with Itsmyluckyday, who set a new track record in the race. The win put Itsmyluckyday on the Derby Trail and the colt's spot in the race was solidified when he finished second to Orb in the Florida Derby. Itsmyluckyday ran 15th in the Kentucky Derby but rebounded with a second in the Preakness Stakes. He came back in 2014 as a 4-year-old, finally earning a Grade 1 victory in the Woodward Stakes.

Plesa Jr. has been a leading trainer at multiple tracks and has won over 2,000 races in his career.