For those who studied German in high school or those who think fine Mexican food starts and ends with the chalupa, "tres seis" means "three six" in Spanish.

	Tres Seis has finished in the money in all 11 starts.

Tres Seis, the Quarter Horse named in numbers, has been a major factor on the shortline scene for the past two years. In Sunday's Grade 1 All American Derby, trainer John Bassett hopes his talented colts past frustrations will add up to one memorable performance.

Despite finishing in the money in all 11 career starts, sometimes it's the money almost won that stands out with the star-crossed Tres Seis. He led until the final jump of last years $1.9 million Grade 1 All American Futurity. In July, he and jockey Joe Badilla were collared in the final stride of the $200,000 Grade 1 Rainbow Derby. Indeed, those are tough numbers to swallow. But the big horse is back for another go.

"He was out of gas in the Rainbow," Bassett said of Tres Seis. "Joe was still asking him until the end, but he had nothing left. I probably didn't have him fit enough. His All American trial win proved he was fit. Sometimes, when you have these good ones, you don't want to damage them trying to get fit. You just have to let them get fit over time."

Tres Seis gets his name from his parents. His sire (father) is named Sixarun and his dam (mother) is named Our Third Delight. I guess you could say he's been playing the numbers game since day one.

Tres Seis By The Numbers
28 -- the number of inches trainer John Bassett estimates there are between Tres Seis ears and the tip of his nose.

2 -- the number of inches separating Tres Seis nose and Grade 1 victories in the 2001 All American Futurity and 2002 Rainbow Derby.

819,433 -- total dollars earned by Tres Seis in his 11-race career. Bassett jokes frankly, "When a horse has made $800,000 and done what he's done, you won't find too many people sorry for you. We're blessed to have had the success weve had."

663,470 -- number of dollars difference between Tres Seis finishing second by a nose in last year's All American Futurity and winning it.

10-1/2 -- trainer John Bassett's boot size, which could land squarely up someones butt if Tres Seis loses another Grade 1 race by a nose.

50 -- typical number of 2-year-olds that begin the season with trainer John Bassett. "In this game," Bassett says, "if you get two or three truly good ones from 50, you've hit a home run."

3 -- current number of top-rung 3-year-olds in the Bassett barn, headed by Tres Seis, Corona Music and Jump Jive An Wail.

4 -- number of qualifiers from All American Derby trial six, won by Tres Seis.

25 -- the mph of headwind in the Aug. 16 trials, nonetheless Tres Seis ran the fastest 440-yard time of his career (:21.49).

5 -- number of Grade 1 stakes finals that Tres Seis has qualified for in his career, winning the Golden State Futurity final last November.

440 -- number of yards in Sundays Grade 1 All American Derby.

339 -- yard marker where trainer John Bassett will hold his breath with the rest of Quarter Horse racings fans.

All American Derby Details
Five of the 10 Derby finalists have earned less than $75,000 lifetime. Tres Seis ($819,433) and A Real Man ($187,555) hold the major class edge. A Real Man has won the Grade 1 Remington Park Derby and Grade 1 Heritage Place Derby in Oklahoma already this season.

Legendary horseman Jack Brooks sends out a Derby duo in Dashin Prince Henry and Friday 123. Both were longshots six weeks ago when finishing sixth and seventh, respectively, in the Grade 1 Rainbow Derby. Hunch players should dig Friday 123 with Tres Seis.

Genuine Strawfly and First Down Dandy, one-two finishers in the Grade 2 Ruidoso Derby on June 9, both flopped in their pursuit of the Rainbow Derby. Genuine Strawfly ran fifth in the final and First Down Dandy did not make it out of the trials. They're both back after solid All American Derby trial wins.

And The Winner Is ...
A Real Man over Tres Seis in another tight photo. A Real Man has lost two straight since winning seven in a row, but hes got a 440-yard pedigree by the great Heza Fast Man. For the money, lets hope he can reverse a runner-up finish to Tres Seis in the trials. Figure Tres Seis to close in the wagering at approximately 4-to-5 odds and A Real Man closer to 3-to-1. Go for value, but don't expect the favorite to go down easily -- he never does. Logic says Tres Seis, bankroll leans slightly to A Real Man.