John Velazquez to ride Dunkirk
By David Grening
ELMONT, N.Y. - While the jockey status of Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up Mine that Bird remained in limbo, some other key jockey assignments for the Belmont Stakes were firmed up Friday morning, as John Velazquez will ride Dunkirk and Garrett Gomez has taken the call on Chocolate Candy.

The ownership trio of Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier, along with trainer Todd Pletcher, chose Velazquez over Gomez and Edgar Prado, both of whom had ridden Dunkirk previously. Velazquez won the 2007 Belmont for those connections aboard the filly Rags to Riches. Gomez had chosen to ride Pioneerof the Nile over Dunkirk in the Kentucky Derby, but Pletcher said that didn't play a role in the decision to ride Velazquez. Dunkirk finished 11th in the Derby under Edgar Prado.

"We didn't look any further other than we were just trying to figure out what our best chance to win the Belmont was," Pletcher said. "We got a lot of history with Johnny and have had success in this particular race and success in a lot of other big races. Close call, they're all three great riders."

Gomez, meanwhile, picked up Chocolate Candy, who finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby. Gomez worked Chocolate Candy six furlongs in 1:13.47 on Monday at Belmont and told his agent, Ron Anderson, that he liked the way the colt finished.

A dry track is going to give Dunkirk and Chocolate Candy a chance to show the Derby winner his win was nothing more then a win in the slop. I expect both horse to finish in front of the Derby winner.

Gomez Is Going To Win For Fun And Give Ny The Finger As He Crosses The Finish Line And Heads Back West To Be The King...unless Julie Comes Back........