Smith to ride Omaha Beach in Kentucky Derby, Geroux picks up Roadster

Mike Smith has chosen to ride Omaha Beach in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Richard Mandella announced Tuesday afternoon.

"I just got the call," Mandella said. "We're good. Mike Smith. I'm very happy."

Smith had ridden Omaha Beach to victory in the Arkansas Derby last Saturday at Oaklawn Park. Seven days earlier, Smith had ridden Bob Baffert-trained Roadster to victory in the Santa Anita Derby. Those two colts are among the top two in this year's Kentucky Derby on May 4 at Churchill Downs, so the choice was a difficult one for Smith and his agent, Brad Pegram.

Smith's decision opened a choice mount on Roadster, one Baffert immediately filled Tuesday by hiring Florent Geroux for the Derby.

Several other trainers have been holding mounts awaiting to see what transpired with those horses. Once those two slots were filled, trainer Todd Pletcher also announced Tuesday he had secured Manny Franco to ride Louisiana Derby runner-up Spinoff in the Derby. John Velazquez rode Spinoff in the Louisiana Derby, but he has committed to Code of Honor, the Fountain of Youth winner, for the Derby for trainer Shug McGaughey.

Omaha Beach arrived at Churchill Downs on Tuesday after a van ride from Oaklawn Park. Roadster is still at Santa Anita along with Baffert's Santa Anita Derby runner-up, Game Winner. Joel Rosario rides Game Winner.

Improbable, also trained by Baffert, already is at Churchill Downs. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides Improbable.

Spinoff is training at Palm Beach Downs in South Florida along with Pletcher's other Derby runner, Cutting Humor. Pletcher said no rider has been yet named for Cutting Humor.

Smith won last year's Triple Crown in concert with Baffert on Justify. Smith has won the Derby twice. Mandella, like Baffert a Hall of Famer, is seeking his first Derby victory.