Espinoza to Ride Ministers Wild Cat

(from track report)
Trainer Neil Drysdale said that Victor Espinoza, removed as the rider of Kafwain, would ride Ministers Wild Cat in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) on April 5.

Kent Desormeaux had ridden the son of Deputy Minister in all four of the colt's races, including a runner-up finish in the El Camino Real Derby earlier this month. But Desormeaux has opted to ride the undefeated winner of the El Camino Real, Ocean Terrace, for Bob Hess Jr. in the Santa Anita Derby.

Trainer Bob Baffert, who was unhappy with Espinoza's ride on Kafwain in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II), has offered the ride on The Thoroughbred Corp.-owned colt to leading rider Patrick Valenzuela, but has not confirmed the change.