Franco taking a break after his Florida Derby win on Tiz the Law

Jockey Manny Franco’s victory aboard Tiz the Law in Saturday’s Grade 1 Florida Derby is likely to be his last mount for a while.

Franco returned to New York on Sunday and said he doesn’t plan to ride until New York begins racing again. Racing on the New York Racing Association circuit is on hold until at least April 24, the scheduled opening day of Belmont Park. More likely, given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the state of New York, that opening will be pushed back to a later date.

“I’m going to stay home with the family until everything goes back to normal,” Franco said Wednesday. “I don’t think I’m going to ride until New York opens. I want to stay with my family, take care of them and stay safe.”

Franco lives in Hempstead, N.Y., with his girlfriend Nicole and the couple’s 2-year-old daughter Valentina.

Franco, who was the leading rider at the Aqueduct winter meet which prematurely ended on March 15, said he was impressed with Tiz the Law’s 4 1/4-length victory in the Florida Derby.

“He ran really hard and he was ready for the race,” Franco said. “He was working good coming into the race and he showed he’s the best right now.”

Franco said it’s going to be hard to wait for the Kentucky Derby, which has been rescheduled to Sept. 5 from May 2.

“He’s going to have run another time or two,” said Franco, adding that trainer Barclay Tagg “knows what he’s doing.”

“He knows what the plan is going to be,” Franco said.