Frankie Dettori picks up three rides for Aidan O'Brien at Kentucky Downs
Dettori's rides include Greenfinch, Mountain Bear, and Chief Little Rock
Dettori has had a successful stint in the U.S. this year with an 18% win rate
Frankie Dettori on Balnikhov wins the G3 Dinner Party Stakes on a rainy Preakness Day at Pimlico. (Getty)
Frankie Dettori has picked up three rides for Aidan O'Brien this weekend, as Ireland's Champion Trainer sends a small squad to Kentucky Downs for their Franklin-Simpson Stakes card.
Dettori has enjoyed the first year of his career swansong in the United States. Frankie has scored with 18% of his this year, earning over $8m for himself and his winning connections.
Last weekend, Dettori teamed up with Andrew Balding to land the Nashville Derby aboard Bellum Justum. While he may not have a ride in Saturday's Grade One feature at Kentucky Downs, the enigmatic Italian will have a trio of leading chances in the surrounding pattern races.
Frankie Dettori's Rides at Kentucky Downs
Greenfinch
In the opening Marathon Stakes, Dettori will get the leg-up on Aidan O'Brien's Greenfinch. O'Brien's filly has steadily improved with each outing of her three-year-old campaign and travels to Kentucky on the back of an easy Listed victory over a mile at Killarney.
Johnny Velazquez will partner the other European shipper in the field, Roger Varian's Three Priests. Rober Reid's Grade One placer, Neecie Marie could be a tough nut to crack too, but if Greenfinch can see out this extended distance, Dettori is in with a chance.
Mountain Bear (right) picks up late to finish fourth behind Haatem in the Jersey Stakes. (Getty)
Mountain Bear
Frankie will next partner Mountain Bear in the Mint Millions Stakes. O'Brien's colt has flopped on two of his four starts this term, but Mountain Bear has bounced back each time, placing in both the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown last time out.
Dettori's mount boasts some strong US form, placing a close second behind stablemate Unquestionable in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Mountain Bear does, however, have a strong field to contend with. Charlie Hills' Ancient Rome went close in a US Grade One last time out, with Funtastic Again and Irish Aces also boasting better claims.
Chief Little Rock
Dettori's best chance of a winner comes in the Kentucky Turf Cup, where he'll partner with Chief Little Rock. Aidan O'Brien's colt suffered over this trip at Royal Ascot, but kicked off this season with a one-length defeat to the aforementioned Bellum Justum, before trouncing a decent field in a Group Three at the Curragh.
Get Smokin and Integration will provide stiff opposition, but Chief Little Rock's running style is perfectly suited to US racing. If Dettori can navigate a clear path from a wide draw in stall 11, O'Brien's raider has a massive chance.
