Far Right Sharp in Final Arkansas Derby Drill
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Multiple stakes winner Far Right recorded his final workout for the April 11 $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park the morning of April 4 for trainer Ron Moquett. The Notional ridgling breezed an easy half-mile in :48 4/5 under Greta Kuntzweiler, while clockers caught him galloping out five furlongs over a fast track in 1:00 4/5.
Sunny skies and temperatures approaching 50 degrees greeted Far Right, who breezed shortly after the renovation break.
"Now we just have to keep him happy and hope that everybody ships in well," said Moquett, who watched the work with his son Chance and Harry Rosenblum of Little Rock, Ark., Far Right's majority owner. "He just went nice and easy."
Far Right is the top locally based prospect for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) following victories in the Jan. 19 Smarty Jones Stakes and the Feb. 22 Southwest Stakes (gr. III). Moquett opted to skip the $750,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) March 14 and train Far Right up to the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby. Saturday's work was Far Right's third published breeze since the Southwest.
"Just what the doctor ordered," Rosenblum said.
Other horses on the grounds pointing for the Arkansas Derby are Bold Conquest and The Truth Or Else, third and fourth, respectively, in the Rebel, and Bridget's Big Luvy, who arrived April 1 for trainer Jeremiah Englehart. Bridget's Big Luvy is coming off a victory in the $100,000 Private Terms Stakes March 21 at Laurel Park.
The Arkansas Derby is expected to be headed by romping Rebel winner American Pharoah, the country's champion 2-year-old male who is scheduled to arrive April 8.
Post positions for the Arkansas Derby will be drawn April 8 at 12:30 p.m. CT. The draw will take place on the first floor of Oaklawn's grandstand and will be open to the public.