Kentucky Derby 2022: Bejarano gets the ride on Happy Jack

Trainer Doug O'Neill confirmed Tuesday that Rafael Bejarano has taken the call on Happy Jack for the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Happy Jack currently ranks 20th on the Derby leaderboard and figures to be one of the longest prices on May 7. 

In 11 previous Derby rides, Bejarano has never hit the board. The 39-year-old native of Peru's best finish was aboard Papa Clem in 2009. 

Daily Racing Form's Jay Privman first reported Bejarano's Kentucky Derby assignment. 

Happy Jack finished the prep season in the Kentucky Derby top 20 despite having only a debut maiden win to his credit. The Calumet Farm homebred by Oxbow graduated Jan. 22 at Santa Anita, then was fifth in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) two weeks later. 

Happy Jack proceeded to pick up 10 Kentucky Derby points when third in the San Felipe (G3) and 20 more when third again in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). He moved into the Kentucky Derby top 20 last week partly as a result of stablemate Slow Down Andy being withdrawn from Derby consideration when spiking a fever at Keeneland. 

Happy Jack was ridden in all three previous stakes tries by Abel Cedillo. 

For O'Neill and Bejarano, the Derby will be a reunion of sorts. Bejarano's career was at its height in the 2010s when based for several years in Southern California and riding regularly for O'Neill. Most notably, the pair teamed up to win consecutive runnings of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in 2013-14 with Goldencents. 

Bejarano has ridden 4,256 winners since starting his North American career in 2002. Through Monday, Bejarano this year had ridden 20 winners from 172 mounts (12 percent). He had only two rides in Kentucky Derby points preps: a fifth aboard Trademark in the Blue Grass (G1) and a 12th aboard Optigogo in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3).