Flavien Prat will ride the highly regarded Kentucky Derby prospect Dennis' Moment when he makes his 3-year-old debut in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 29, trainer Dale Romans said Monday.

Irad Ortiz Jr. rode Dennis' Moment last year in his last two starts, a victory in the Iroquois Stakes and then a disastrous Breeders' Cup Juvenile, when Dennis' Moment was eliminated at the start when he stumbled badly and went to his knees. But Ortiz will be out of the country on Feb. 29. He rides Mucho Gusto in the Saudi Cup.

"He's only ridden two horses for me, both on Pegasus day, and he rode them well," Romans said.

Romans said the plan is for Ortiz to get the mount back for subsequent starts. Dennis' Moment is owned by Albaugh Family Stables, which also is a co-owner of the highly regarded Thousand Words, whom Prat rides for trainer Bob Baffert.