Though Dominguez had ridden Stay Thirsty in his previous two races, including a win in the Gotham Stakes (gr. III), he had not been confirmed for the Derby until Repole addressed it in a National Thoroughbred Racing Association teleconference.

Repole owns Stay Thirsty and Uncle Mo  , who are both trained by Todd Pletcher. Had Uncle Mo, who has been battling a gastrointestinal tract infection, not turned in an encouraging work the morning of April 26, Pletcher’s first-call rider, John Velazquez, could have ended up on Stay Thirsty.

In other jockey news, Jerry Hissam, agent for Calvin Borel, said he is still in the process of trying to firm up a mount for his client. European invader Master of Hounds or Twinspired could both be options for Borel, who has won three of the last four Kentucky Derbys.