Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and Godolphin have secured the riding services of Manny Franco for Sovereignty's highly anticipated start in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) March 29 at Gulfstream Park.
The New York-based jockey will fill in for regular rider Junior Alvarado, who sustained a shoulder injury in a racing mishap March 23. Alvarado has been aboard Sovereignty for all four starts, including a last-to-first victory in the March 1 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
Franco is currently atop the jockey standings at the current Aqueduct Racetrack meet.
"I can rarely get him. He's never been easy to get to ride, but I think he won a couple of grade 1s for us on Channel Maker," said Mott, who gave Franco a leg up for back-to-back victories in the 2020 Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) at Belmont Park. "He's done well with the ones he's ridden for us."
Franco won the 2020 Florida Derby and Holy Bull Stakes (G3) aboard Tiz the Law .
Franco is currently sixth this year in North America by money won and third in wins behind Irad Ortiz Jr. and Jose Ortiz. Franco was tied for 10th in victories last year with 210.
