Virginia Derby winner preparing for Kentucky Derby

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - The jockey who rode to victory in the Virginia Derby is preparing to compete this weekend in the Kentucky Derby.

Nik Juarez spoke with Virginia reporters from Louisville, where he’s preparing for Saturday’s “Run for the Roses.”

Once again, he’s riding American Promise, the chestnut colt that ran away from the field in the Virginia Derby March 15.

“That was the first time I got to ride American Promise in the afternoon, and he showed us what he had. And the lightbulb really turned on that day,” Juarez said during the video call Thursday morning. “I’ve been on him since then, you know I worked him last Saturday and the light bulb has stayed on, so just very, very excited to see what American Promise can do, and what Colonial Downs has given us.”

Juarez grew up in Weston, Maryland.

He has more than 1,000 wins as a jockey, but Saturday’s start will be his first in the Kentucky Derby.