Torres, Common Defense need defections to get into Kentucky Derby

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn leading rider Cristian Torres has the mount on Common Defense for the Kentucky Derby if the horse, who was sitting on the points bubble Wednesday, gets into the 20-horse field, according to his agent, Cody Autrey.

Common Defense ranks 23rd in points, with 37, according to the latest leaderboard issued by Churchill Downs. He is coming off a close fifth in the Louisiana Derby and prior to that race was second in the Rebel.

Torres was aboard Common Defense for trainer Kenny McPeek in January at Oaklawn when the horse won his maiden. The field included recent Keeneland allowance winner Native Land.

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Torres has won four Kentucky Derby points races this season. Locally, he took the Rebel on Timberlake and the Smarty Jones on Catching Freedom. Prior to that he won the Gun Runner on Track Phantom at Fair Grounds and the Street Sense with Liberal Arts at Churchill Downs.

Torres is the runaway leader in the Oaklawn standings with 72 wins from 408 mounts through Thursday. His mounts have earned $5.6 million. Torres will be sitting out Friday’s card due to a one-day suspension for a whip violation from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, but will be back Saturday.

Torres has mounts in the card’s three stakes, including the $200,000 Bath House Row with McPeek trainee Gould’s Gold, and Instant Coffee in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap.

Jose D’Angelo trains Instant Coffee and said Torres had ridden some in the past for his father. D’Angelo is based in South Florida and will saddle his first runner at Oaklawn on Saturday.

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