by Frank Angst

About one month after securing the first Santa Anita Derby (G1) victory of his career, jockey Corey Nakatani hopes to secure an even bigger career first when he starts on Colonel John in the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Nakatani has never hit the board in 13 Kentucky Derby starts, although he finished fourth in his first Derby effort in 1991 on Green Alligator and matched that placing in ‘98 on Halory Hunter.

Nakatani has enjoyed success at Churchill. He has won the Kentucky Oaks (G1) twice: in 1991 on Lite Light and in ’96 on Pike Place Dancer. He won the 2000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) on Manndar (Ire). Nakatani also has twice won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Churchill, in 1998 on Reraise and in 2006 on Thor’s Echo.

On April 5, Nakatani ended an 0-for-12 skid in the Santa Anita Derby when he urged Colonel John from ninth to a half-length victory. The win included an impressive late kick that allowed the Tiznow colt to collar Bob Black Jack in late stretch.

“Well, I guess you could say I’ve got this little monkey off my back,” Nakatani said after that win. “Now I’ve got something to get really excited about. I mean, [trainer] Eoin Harty, and what he’s done with this horse. And the owners, WinStar Farm. And the Tiznow breeding is going to take us the mile-and-one-quarter."

Nakatani, 37, of Covine, California, is confident about Saturday’s race. He will ride in four races on Friday, including Wanderin Boy in the Alysheba Stakes (G3).

“There is no question in my mind that this horse has the ability to win the Kentucky Derby,” Nakatani said of Colonel John.

Frank Angst is Thoroughbred Times senior writer