Jaramillo picks up Kentucky Derby mount on Majesto

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Jockey Emisael Jaramillo has come a long ways in a short time. The all-time leading rider in Venezuela came to this country for the first time last fall, was among the leading riders at Gulfstream Park last winter, and now has picked up both his first Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks mounts.

Trainer Gustavo Delgado confirmed on Sunday that Jaramillo will ride Majesto in the Derby, Paola Queen in the Oaks, as well as Grand Tito in the Woodford Reserve. He'll also be aboard J R's Holiday for trainer Jose Garafolo, like Delgado a native Venezuela, in the Grade 2 American Turf.

Jaramillo is no stranger to riding in major races. He has won Latin America's premier race for 3-year-olds, the Clasico Internacional del Caribe, four times and has also ridden three Venezuelan Triple Crown winners, Polo Grounds (2005), Taconeo (2007), and Water Jet (2010). He more recently went to Dubai, where he finished second, beaten a neck aboard X Y Jet, in the Dubai Golden Shaheen.

The Derby will mark the first time Jaramillo has been aboard Majesto, who was ridden to his maiden win and second-place finish in the Grade 1 Florida Derby by Javier Castellano, or Paola Queen. He guided Grand Tito to two consecutive wins this winter at Gulfstream including a 1 1/4- length victory over Kaigun in the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida.

Jaramillo, 39, is the all time leading jockey in Venezuela with more than 3,500 victories.