2022 Kentucky Derby: Franco picks up ride on Zozos
Manny Franco has picked up the mount on Zozos for the Kentucky Derby, trainer Brad Cox said Monday afternoon.
Zozos most recently finished second in the Louisiana Derby to Epicenter, one of the leading contenders for the May 7 Derby. Zozos is one of three horses in the Derby trained by Brad Cox, and all three had Florent Geroux on them for their most recent starts. Geroux is sticking with Cyberknife, the Arkansas Derby winner. Tawny Port, winner of the Lexington Stakes, still needs a rider.
Zozos has raced just three times. He defeated maidens in his debut Jan. 23 at Fair Grounds, then won an allowance race at Oaklawn on Feb. 11 before returning to Fair Grounds for the Louisiana Derby on March 26.
Franco, 27, has ridden in the Derby three times, including a second-place finish in 2020 with Tiz the Law.