The 2023 Kentucky Derby is arriving soon and equestrians, are excited in leaps and bounds to witness America’s famous horse racing festival. The equines and their mounts are honing up their skills and getting ready to appear their best on May 6th. However, there are some horses who are still to be coupled with their rider. Likewise, Raise Cain, the two times winner lost his rider who is currently injured.

Four-time Eclipse Award winning jockey, Javier Castellano, will replace Raise Cain’s present mount this year. With his years of experience in the sport, it’s now a matter of time to see if their bonding becomes strong enough to win the top place.

Award-winning equestrian is about to replace current jockey in Kentucky Derby

A recent report by DRF stated Javier Castellano’s new role in the 2023 Kentucky Derby. He has a record of winning 5638 races till now. Raise Cain’s trainer Ben Colebrook stated, “You can’t go wrong with someone who has as much experience and who has won as many races as he has,” while describing his faith in Castellano’s feat.

Previously he rode Cyclone Mischief to a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Florida Derby. However, he will be the fifth jockey to mount Raise Cain. His jockey, Jose Lezcano is currently down after being injured with a broken hand. Raise Cain has been a champion runner in the derby. He won the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes by 7 1/2 lengths on March 4 at Aqueduct.

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Colebrook also stated that Raise Cain and Javier Castellano will begin their training session on Thursday at Keeneland. However, Raise Cain is not the only equine to have a new mount this year. The presumptive favorite Forte is also preparing to appear with a new rider.

Forte will have a new mount this year

The 30-year-old jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is all set to run in the derby with Forte, one of the most popular equines this year. Previously, Ortiz gained experience by riding another Derby favorite, Improbable, in 2019. Although he hasn’t earned a win at the Kentucky Derby yet, the jockey from Puerto Rico is hoping to get it this year.

The supremacy of Ortiz and Forte was visible in their six wins in seven races together. After securing the 2-year-old male title with his victory in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland, Forte rested for four months under trainer Todd Pletcher and then won as the heavy favorite twice at Gulfstream Park.

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However, with these new additions, the 2023 Kentucky Derby is hoped to project some spine-chilling experience this year.