Report: Encino runs in Kentucky Derby, Axel Concepción rides

After a work Saturday morning at Churchill Downs, Grade 3 Lexington Stakes winner Encino will run in the Kentucky Derby on May 4.

Jockey Axel Concepción will ride Encino in the Kentucky Derby, according to a report from David Grening of Daily Racing Form.

Encino worked five furlongs in company with Louisiana Derby (G1) winner Catching Freedom on Saturday, where both were recorded in a time of 59.2 seconds, second-fastest of 58 at the distance.

Encino began his career at Turfway Park, where he broke his maiden at second asking and then won the John Battaglia Memorial on March 2. He was entered to try dirt for the first time in the Blue Grass (G1) but after drawing the outside he was scratched and rerouted to the Lexington on April 13. His win in the Lexington put him first on the Kentucky Derby bubble at the time with 40 points, but the defection of No More Time the next day meant a spot in the Kentucky Derby was open for him if his connections wanted it.

A homebred for Godolphin, his pedigree is full of Triple Crown names. He is by 2016 Kentucky Derby winner out of the winning mare Glittering Jewel: a daughter of 2006 Preakness winner Bernardini and a half-sister to 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense.

Concepción was the champion apprentice jockey of 2023. He won his first career graded stakes Friday at Keeneland when guiding Chop Chop to victory in the Bewitch (G3). Cox trains Chop Chop as well. The ride will be Concepción's first in the Kentucky Derby.