Velazquez to Ride Wildcat Red

John Velazquez will pick up the mount on GII Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth S. winner Wildcat Red (D’wildcat) in the Mar. 29 GI Besilu Florida Derby. “I’m very happy with that,” reported trainer Jose Garoffalo. “I think he’s going to get along well with the horse. He knows every horse. He knows how to ride.” Edgard Zayas rode Wildcat Red in his three juvenile starts. He was replaced by Paco Lopez. Lopez rode the colt to a runner-up effort in the Jan. 1 Gulfstream Park Derby and wins in the Feb. 1 GIII Hutcheson S. and Feb. 22 Fountain of Youth. Garoffalo said Wildcat Red has been training well ahead of the Florida Derby. “We have three more weeks ahead, but the horse doesn’t need too much,” he said. “He’s been training very good, so I don’t think he’s going to need to breeze with the rider. He’s ready; we’re just waiting for the race.”