Manny Franco will ride Zozos in Kentucky Derby

HRN Staff
Photo: Churchill Downs

Jockey Manny Franco will ride Zozos, second-place finisher in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, in the Kentucky Derby on May 7.

Jay Privman of the Daily Racing Form first reported this jockey assignment Monday afternoon. Horse Racing Nation has confirmed the report with Franco.

Franco, 27, has not yet ridden Zozos in a race. Colby Hernandez piloted Zozos to his debut maiden victory Jan. 23 at Fair Grounds. Florent Geroux rode him to his ten-length allowance victory at Oaklawn on Feb. 11 as well as to his second-place finish in the Louisiana Derby. Geroux is also the regular rider of Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Cyberknife, Zozos' stablemate in the Brad Cox barn. Geroux is slated to ride Cyberknife in the Kentucky Derby.

Franco has three races worth of Kentucky Derby experience, dating back to 2015. His best result came in 2020 when he rode Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law to a second-place finish.

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