SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (Thursday, July 7, 2022) – There’s something about a Derby. Winning one is extra special, regardless of what state or what track it’s at. It’s even more special to the regular jockeys at a track is to win a Derby at their home base. Three local jockeys will have that opportunity when saddles are put on in the 28th running of the Grade 3 $300,000 Indiana Derby at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Current leading jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr. will be joined by Orlando Mojica, inaugural winner at Horseshoe Indianapolis in 2003 with two other titles, and Rodney Prescott, Indiana’s all-time leading jockey, also with three titles to his credit. All three jockeys have ridden in previous Indiana Derby events, so they know what to expect when they walk out on Saturday to join their horses.
First Glimpse steps up for Mojica as a first-time starter in stakes action. The duo will begin from post two at odds of 20-1.
“This year’s (Kentucky) Derby winner was 99-1 and won the race, so anything can happen,” said Mojica of his longshot in the race. “This horse has always run a good race for me. Two starts back, he stumbled badly out of the gate and was so far back. I know he’s a longshot, but you never know. Carlos (Silva, the trainer) always has his horses ready, so I’ll go out and ride my horse the same way.”
Prescott is also aboard a longshot in the race. He will pilot the lightly raced New Year’s Fever for former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar out of the Brandi Steele barn. They begin from post five at odds of 20-1.
“He’s an Indiana bred horse and he has the speed,” said Prescott of New Year’s Fever. “He’s handled both bunches in the previous races pretty easily. He’s a nice colt. For me, I’ve ridden in past Derbies. Obviously, it’s a Derby and a bigger race with a bigger purse, but it’s the same job for me.”
New Year’s Fever began his career in early June. He’s two for two heading into the Derby, but his connections have also entered him in Saturday’s $100,000 Snack Stakes against fellow Indiana breds. His connections will decide which race to run in Saturday. Prescott had a previous assignment aboard Mr. Chaos in the Snack Stakes, so Alex Achard will be aboard for the first time if New Year’s Fever runs in the Snack Stakes. It’s the same scenario for Mowins with Jon Court aboard. They will have the option of either the Indiana Derby or the Snack Stakes on Saturday.
One horse that is sure to stay in the Indiana Derby is King Ottoman from the Steve Asmussen Stable. He has chosen to put leading rider Marcelino Pedroza Jr. aboard his Texas Derby winner. Asmussen chose the leading rider at Lone Star Park, Stewart Elliott, to ride the sophomore in Texas. He’s hoping the same plan works in Indiana.
“I think he (King Ottoman) has a good chance,” said Pedroza Jr. of the horse selected fourth on the morning line at odds of 5-1. “It’s pretty much a wide open race, and who would have ever expected a maiden (King Ottoman) to win the Texas Derby. He’s improving every start, so this is a good opportunity for me to make it count, especially since this is my home track. I’ve been riding here for many years. Hopefully, one day I can get it done. That would be an accomplishment for my career to win any Derby. Maybe this will be the year.”
Photos by Coady Photography
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