Dettori to Ride Society Man in Derby

Tuesday, April 23, 2024 | 4:58 pm

Newgate and jockey Lanfranco Dettori (jumping for joy) after winning the Grade I $400,000 Santa Anita Handicap Sunday, March 3, 2024 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, CA, giving trainer Bob Baffert his third stakes win on the day. Benoit Photo

Frankie Dettori, who hasn't ridden in the GI Kentucky Derby since an off-the-board finish in 2000 aboard Godolphin's UAE Derby winner China Visit (Red Ransom), has picked up a mount in this year's Derby in West Paces Racing LLC, Danny Gargan, and GMP Stables LLC's Society Man (Good Magic). The news was first reported by Daily Racing Form Tuesday.

Trained by Danny Gargan, who also has MGSW Dornoch (Good Magic) pointing to the big race, Society Man was last seen finishing second Apr. 6 in the GII Wood Memorial S. at Aqueduct. He was ridden by Luis Rivera, Jr. to the runner-up finish behind Resilience (Into Mischief).

The Kentucky Derby is one of the few major races worldwide that has eluded the popular Dettori, who was originally scheduled to retire in 2023. The champion jockey instead moved his tack to the U.S. late last year and postponed retirement indefinitely.