Jockey John Velazquez, whose original mount Uncle Mo was scratched out of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has been named to ride Animal Kingdom in the May 7 classic.
Jockey Robby Albarado, who had been named to ride Animal Kingdom, was injured when he was thrown from a horse prior to the third race at Churchill Downs on May 4.
Albarado suffered a broken nose and a laceration above his eye that required stitches when he was thrown from Smoke’n Al, a 3-year-old gelding making his first start in the $10,000 maiden claimer for trainer Dallas Stewart.
Velazquez was also named to replace Albarado, who was off his mounts on Friday, May 6, on Bouquet Booth in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).
John Velazquez
Coglianese Photos