Belmont Park: Castellano to ride Orb in Jockey Club Gold Cup

ELMONT, N.Y. - Javier Castellano will ride Kentucky Derby winner Orb in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park on Sept. 28, trainer Shug McGaughey said Friday.

Castellano replaces Jose Lezcano who rode Orb to a third-place finish in the Travers, but who was subsequently injured and is uncertain to be back in time for the Gold Cup. Lezcano replaced Joel Rosario, who suffered a broken foot the day before the Travers and who is not expected back until the first week of October.

"They've been wanting to ride him since last winter," McGaughey said of Castellano, who is represented by agent Matt Muzikar. "I felt very comfortable with that decision. Jose Lezcano rode him great, but he's hurt."

John Velazquez rode Orb to victories in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby, but is committed to ride Cross Traffic in the Gold Cup.

Orb is scheduled to breeze at Fair Hill on Saturday.