Dettori to Ride Wilko in Santa Anita Derby

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(from Santa Anita notes)
Frankie Dettori, who rode Wilko to a 28-1 upset in the 2004 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Lone Star Park, will fly in from Europe and be aboard the colt once more in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) on April 9.

Trainer Craig Dollase didn't have to wait long to find a replacement rider for Wilko when Corey Nakatani announced that he's opting for the filly Sweet Catomine in the West Coast's leading prep race for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).

"He called me," Dollase said of Dettori, the 34-year-old international riding star from Italy who is the son of 13-time Italian champion jockey Gianfranco Dettori. "He wanted to ride the horse, so he's flying in from Europe for the race. I'd rather have a jockey who showed that kind of interest and took the initiative than not."

Wilko, a Kentucky-bred son of Awesome Again   who was fourth in the March 19 San Felipe (gr. II) in his 3-year-old debut, is progressing well from a quarter crack on his right fore. "I'll breeze him this week, I'm not sure what day," Dollase said. "So far, so good."

Probable for the Santa Anita Derby: Sweet Catomine, Corey Nakatani; Buzzards Bay, Mark Guidry; Don't Get Mad, Tyler Baze; Giacomo, Mike Smith; General John B., Jon Court; Golden Shine, Rene Douglas; Go Coyote Joe, Martin Pedroza; Texcess, no rider; Wannawinemall, Alex Solis; Silent Bid, no rider; and Wilko, Frankie Dettori.

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