Frankie Dettori put up on 40-1 outsider for first Kentucky Derby ride in 24 years
FRANKIE DETTORI’S first ride in the Kentucky Derby in 24 years will come on a 40-1 outsider.
The world’s most famous jockey is determined to win America’s biggest race and scrapped his retirement to compete at Churchill Downs.
Dettori has enjoyed huge success over the years with controversial US trainer Bob Baffert.
But he continues to be excluded from Churchill Downs racecourse in Kentucky after initially being banned for two years when 2021 Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a post-race drug test.
It means Dettori – who finished sixth in the 2000 Derby on China Visit – has had to look elsewhere and was yesterday confirmed for the ride on 40-1 longshot Society Man.
The Danny Gargan-trained outsider was last seen finishing second in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at odds of 107-1.
Society Man has won one of his five races and appears to be Gargan’s second string in the £4million race, with the trainer also saddling 18-1 Dornoch.
The Kentucky Derby will be run on Saturday, May 4 – the same day as the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, a race Dettori won four times including last year on Chaldean.
Gargan said: “I’m excited to have Frankie, he’s riding great.
“I know it’s a race he wants to be in and a race he wants to win.”
Society Man and Dornoch have been training at Churchill Downs and are scheduled to have their final workouts on Saturday.
Dettori’s former British rival Ben Curtis will line up alongside him in the ‘Run for the Roses’.
Former all-weather champion jockey Curtis’ earnings have skyrocketed ‘more than expected’ since he moved to the States at the end of last year.
With prize money winnings of almost £5,000 per race he recently made the move permanent and has been rewarded with a ride on Honor Marie.
At 20-1 the David Whitworth Beckman-trained horse is half the odds of Dettori’s runner.
Curtis said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity and on a horse that I think could show up brilliant on the day.”
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