Un Ojo Heads Trio of Arkansas Derby Workers

Three projected starters for the April 2 $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) recorded their final workouts over a fast track the morning of March 26 at Oaklawn Park.

The trio of workers included Un Ojo , the one-eyed gelding who recorded an upset victory in Oaklawn's final major Arkansas Derby prep, the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) Feb. 26, for Louisiana-based trainer Ricky Courville.

Un Ojo breezed by himself after the surface renovation break under Rebel-winning rider Ramon Vazquez and covered a half-mile in :48 4/5. The gelding galloped out to five furlongs in 1:02.

"Easy half, in hand," said Clay Courville, who assists his father and regularly gallops Un Ojo. "Just a maintenance work. Nothing hard. Just something to keep him happy."

Un Ojo was breezing for the second time since winning the 1 1/16-mile Rebel at odds of 75-1. Un Ojo arrived Wednesday afternoon after a 5 1/2-hour van ride from his south Louisiana base, The Training Center At Copper Crowne. Un Ojo returned to the work tab March 19 at that location, clocking five furlongs in 1:03.

Working a half-mile approximately 15 minutes after the track opened at 7 a.m. (Central) was unbeaten We the People  for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. We the People, as he normally does, breezed in company, this time with Triple Crown nominee and stablemate Kuchar , who is being pointed for the $150,000 Oaklawn Stakes April 23. We the People went in :47 4/5 and galloped out to five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 under Brisset, his normal morning partner.

"Very good," Brisset said. "Usual work for him. Same work we did last time before the allowance—:48, a minute and change—galloped out strong. Just a maintenance work at seven days. It was very good. Hopefully, he came out of it OK and we go from there."

Also working in company just after the track opened was Ben Diesel  for trainer Dallas Stewart. A full brother to multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Girls Secret , Ben Diesel recorded a five-furlong bullet (:59) under regular rider Jon Court. Ben Diesel breezed with older stablemate Last Samurai , who won the $150,000 Poinsettia Stakes for 3-year-olds Dec. 11.

Oaklawn-based Barber Road  and Call Me Jamal  are scheduled to post their final works for the Arkansas Derby Sunday morning, their respective trainers said.

Post positions for the Arkansas Derby and Fantasy Stakes (G3) as well as for the three other undercard stakes will be drawn on Sunday.

Among the Fantasy probables listed Saturday morning by the Oaklawn racing department were Beguine , Bubble Rock , Dream Lith , Heartyconstitution , I Feel the Need , Magic Circle , Under the Stars  and Yuugiri .

Oaklawn Mile probables, according to the Oaklawn racing department Saturday morning, included Cezanne , Dark Vader , Fulsome , Law Professor , Mo Mosa , Market Analysis , Necker Island , Roadster  and Runnin' Ray .

Oaklawn stakes winner Frank's Rockette  is expected to lead the Carousel field. Millionaire multiple grade 2 winner Lone Rock  and Strong Tide , Oaklawn's track record holder for 1 3/16 miles, are expected Temperence Hill headliners.