[Danzig]

from bloodhorse:

Determining which horse a jockey rides leading up to the Kentucky Derby on May 5 can occur voluntarily or involuntarily. Crossroads develop and decisions are made. For Garrett Gomez and his agent, Ron Anderson, one such determination involved Cobalt Blue (Just In Case), Grapelli (Worth Watching) and Air Commander in Saturday’s Grade II San Felipe Stakes.

Gomez, who had ridden Cobalt Blue and Air Commander to victory in their last races, opted for Air Commander, a son of 2001 Horse of the Year Point Given trained by Bob Baffert.

“He’s got a little more seasoning than some of the other colts,” Gomez said of Air Commander, who has won his last two starts in a four-race career. “He’s run two turns three times now and that gives him an advantage, in my mind. He’s a very talented colt, as are the others. He’s got some quirks which we’re trying to resolve, but he seems like he’s getting better.

“Not taking anything away from Cobalt Blue, but I think right now he might be a little behind some of these colts. I mean, he could win, but my agent and I had to make a decision. You never want to be in that situation, but it happened that both horses are running in the same race and the bridge had to be crossed.

Victor Espinoza takes over on Cobalt Blue, who is owned by Merv Griffin and trained by Doug O’Neill. Cobalt Blue has had three races, all sprints