Sat May 03 22:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Maryland Jockey Nik Juarez to Ride in Kentucky Derby
**LOUISVILLE, KY** – Nik Juarez, a jockey with a deep-rooted family history in horse racing, will compete in the 151st Kentucky Derby this Saturday. His victory in the Virginia Derby aboard American Promise secured his first-ever Derby entry after 12 years in the sport.
Juarez, whose father was a jockey in the 1990s and whose mother’s father was an outrider, credits his success to hard work and finding the right horse. He’ll be riding American Promise, a son of the 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas. The horse, trained in the barn that won last year’s Preakness, will be competing against 19 other horses in the 1 1/4-mile race.
Juarez expressed excitement and believes he has a real shot at winning, hoping to inspire future generations of Marylanders through his success. He emphasized that horse racing, despite its family legacy, demands dedication and the right partnerships. He stated, “You can always change your life… if you ever have an opportunity to get around a horse, it’ll change your life.”
First Piper 