Gaffalione picks up Kentucky Derby mount on Ocelli
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It was a tough morning for jockey Tyler Gaffalione, who saw his original mounts for the Kentucky Derby (Fulleffort) and Kentucky Oaks (Bella Ballerina) scratch due to injury.
Gaffalione wasn’t without a mount in the Derby for very long.
Trainer Whit Beckman said Thursday afternoon that he will put Gaffalione on Ocelli in the Derby. Gaffalione was named to ride Nycon in the Oaks before she was scratched Friday morning. Both of Beckman’s horses had drawn into their respective races from the also-eligible list. Joe Ramos was previously named on Ocelli.
“Tyler is the leading rider at Churchill Downs every year,” Beckman said. “He’s a top-three rider in the country. He’s ridden on this stage many times and won most of these types of races, with the exception of the Derby."
Gaffalione is 0 for 7 in the Derby, though he did finish second, beaten a nose, aboard Sierra Leone in 2024.
Ramos, who had ridden Ocelli in his last two starts, rode Flying Mohawk to an 18th-place finish in the 2025 Kentucky Derby for Beckman.
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