The Kentucky Derby field just got a last-minute shakeup, and one lucky jockey is about to live out a lifelong dream. Cristian Torres will ride in his first Run for the Roses after Doug O'Neill's Robusta was elevated from the also-eligible list, replacing the scratched Right to Party, trained by Kenny McPeek.

Torres' path to the Derby was anything but straightforward. He initially lost his mount when Silent Tactic—trained by Mark Casse—was scratched due to a foot injury. "It was an easy decision for the horse's well-being," Casse said, "but I feel terrible for Cristian." That decision left Torres without a ride and seemingly out of Derby contention.

Enter Robusta. When Right to Party was pulled from the field, O'Neill needed a jockey since Emisael Jaramillo was already committed to riding at Santa Anita Park in California. O'Neill turned to Torres, giving the young rider a golden ticket to the most famous two minutes in sports.

Robusta now holds the 20th and final spot in the maximum field. Any additional scratches would shrink the Derby field, but for now, the colt is in—and so is Torres.

The scratches didn't stop there. Brad Cox also pulled Fulleffort from consideration after an X-ray revealed a chip and fluid in the colt's left hind ankle, thinning out an already competitive field. With the first Saturday in May fast approaching, the Derby lineup is set—and a new jockey story is ready to unfold.