Espinoza to ride Bolt d'Oro in Kentucky Derby

Victor Espinoza, a three-time winner of the Kentucky Derby, will go for his fourth when he climbs aboard Bolt d'Oro in this year's running on May 5 at Churchill Downs.

Mick Ruis, the trainer and owner of Bolt d'Oro, made it official late Monday, informing Espinoza's agent, Brian Beach, after a dinner meeting between Ruis and Espinoza that Espinoza would indeed have the mount.

Espinoza had been thought to be the front-runner to inherit the mount if Javier Castellano defected, which happened earlier Monday. Espinoza has worked Bolt d'Oro in recent weeks, but will be riding him in a race for the first time in the Kentucky Derby.

Espinoza, who like Castellano is in the Hall of Fame, has won the Kentucky Derby with War Emblem, California Chrome, and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

Castellano rode Bolt d'Oro in his last two starts -- the San Felipe Stakes and Santa Anita Derby -- but on Monday opted to ride Audible, the Florida Derby winner, in the Derby for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Bolt d'Oro won the San Felipe via disqualification, then was second in the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday behind Justify.