Espinoza named to ride Bolt d'Oro in Kentucky Derby 2018

Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor Espinoza will return to Churchill Downs for the 2018 Kentucky Derby, this time as the jockey on Bolt d’Oro, connections announced Monday evening.

Shelbe Ruis, a licensed trainer and daughter of the colt’s owner and conditioner, Mick Ruis, confirmed the news on Twitter, saying simply, “We got Victor.”

The Hall of Famer Espinoza was the logical choice for the multiple Grade 1 winner after news broke earlier in the day that jockey Javier Castellano had opted to return to Florida Derby winner Audible, who’s trained by Todd Pletcher, a more common pairing.

Castellano rode Bolt d’Oro to a win (by stewards’ placement) in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes before last Saturday’s runner-up effort behind the unbeaten Justify, now the Kentucky Derby favorite.

Espinoza has worked Bolt d’Oro recently, with Mick Ruis saying he was the likely successor should Castellano, well, bolt.

A $630,000 son of Medaglia d’Oro, Bolt d’Oro hasn't hit the wire first in a race since Sept. 30, 2017, but that performance — a dominating score in the Grade 1 FrontRunner — showcased the type of talent that makes him a legitimate contender heading into the first Saturday in May.

He has a capable rider to boot.

Espinoza has won three Derbys, most recently with American Pharoah in 2015, in nine tries. Only the legendary Eddie Arcaro, Bill Hartack and Bill Shoemaker have visited the Derby winner’s circle more times at Churchill Downs. Espinoza, 45, is among the seven riders with three wins in the race.