Smith gets mount on Flashy Bull

Mike Smith, who rode Giacomo to victory in last year's Kentucky Derby, would ride Flashy Bull this year if that horse can get into the field, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.

"We just thought it was a great fit for Mike to ride a gray son of Holy Bull if we get in," said McLaughlin, who trains Flashy Bull for West Point Thoroughbreds.

Giacomo, whom Smith rode to victory in last year's Derby at odds of 50-1, was a gray son of Holy Bull. Smith was also the regular rider of Holy Bull, the 1994 Horse of the Year.

Flashy Bull currently stands at 21st on the graded-stakes earnings list. The Derby is limited to 20 horses and the field is based on earnings in graded stakes. McLaughlin is hoping the connections of Mister Triester, who is entered to run in Saturday's Derby Trial, opt not run that horse back in the Derby.

Flashy Bull has only one win from nine career starts, but was placed second in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth. He finished seventh in the Grade 1 Florida Derby, but was found to have a case of the thumps, an electrolyte imbalance.