David E. Hofmans

David Hofmans is a Los Angeles native that became interested in racing after befriending the son of a trainer. Hofmans and Gary Jones attended college together, and both would later be trainers themselves. 

Hofmans won his first race in 1974 and was in the national spotlight in 1996 when his Alphabet Soup defeated the great Cigar in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He would play spoiler again in 1997 when he saddled Touch Gold to victory in the Belmont Stakes, defeating Triple Crown hopeful Silver Charm. Hofmans has also won Canada's most prestigous race, the Queen's Plate, and two additional Breeders' Cup races. 

In 2016, Hofmans won the Santa Anita Handicap with Melatonin. After a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Oaklawn handicap, Melatonin punched his Breeders' Cup Classic ticket in June with a win in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita.