Gomez named to ride Stardom Bound in Oaks

IEAH Stables has tabbed Garrett Gomez as the new rider for STARDOM BOUND (Tapit) in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 1. The reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey will replace Hall of Famer Mike Smith aboard the champion two-year-old filly.

"This is by no means a firing of Mike Smith," IEAH's Mike Iavarone said. "Mike has obviously done a great job on the filly. This is related to the long-term picture in that Mike is committed to Zenyatta (Street Cry [Ire]). With the idea of Stardom Bound eventually meeting up with Zenyatta, we wanted a new rider who get acquainted with Stardom Bound now. There was the opportunity to get Garrett aboard Stardom Bound now, and we're grateful for the work Mike has done aboard the filly in the past."

Stardom Bound, who sealed championship honors with a 1 1/2-length win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), reeled off six straight Grade 1 victories before having her string snapped with a third in the Ashland S. (G1) on April 4. She opened 2009 with victories in the Las Virgenes S. (G1) and Santa Anita Oaks (G1) and will bring a lifetime mark of 8-5-2-1, $1,820,600, into the Kentucky Oaks.

Her ultimate goal is the Breeders' Cup Ladies Distaff (G1), which will be held at Santa Anita in early November. That is also the goal of unbeaten champion mare Zenyatta.

Stardom Bound galloped Wednesday morning at Keeneland under Michelle Nevin.