Jose Ortiz will ride Simplification in Kentucky Derby

By Carolyn Greer
Photo: Liz Lamont / Eclipse Sportswire

Jose Ortiz will ride Simplification in the 2022 Kentucky Derby, looking for his first win in the race.

Trainer Antonio Sano and agent Jimmy Riccio confirmed the decision for Horse Racing Nation on Tuesday.

The move could indicate that Early Voting won't run in the Derby. Ortiz has been aboard Chad Brown's colt for all three of his starts.

[See updated Kentucky Derby futures odds for 23 horses]

Brown told HRN at his Keeneland barn Saturday morning that a decision had not been made about whether the Gun Runner colt would start in the Derby. “There’s still a question if Early Voting wants the mile-and-a-quarter.”

Ortiz rode Simplification to a third-place finish in the Florida Derby (G1) last out and to a 3 1/2-length win in the Fountain of Youth (G2).

He has had six Kentucky Derby appearances, finishing 17th last year on Dynamic One. He finished third in 2019 on Tacitus and second in 2018 on Good Magic.

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