Admiral's Arch retains Bridgmohan

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Trainer Steve Asmussen will be sticking with a proven angle on Saturday when he puts Shaun Bridgmohan on Admiral's Arch in the Grade 3, $300,000 Lone Star Derby at Lone Star Park.

"Both races that he's won, Shaun was on him," said Asmussen.

Bridgmohan guided Admiral's Arch to a half-length win in the $100,000 Northern Spur Breeders' Cup at Oaklawn Park in his last start on April 15. The rider was also aboard him in November, when Admiral's Arch won a 7 1/2-furlong maiden race at Churchill Downs.

Admiral's Arch has worked twice at Lone Star since the Northern Spur, and in his final prep for the derby breezed a half-mile in 48.60 seconds on Tuesday.

"He's worked really well here," said Asmussen.

Asmussen on Wednesday morning had not yet decided on a rider in the Lone Star Derby for Rain on Monday, who will be making his first start for the trainer after being purchased privately by Millennium Farms. Rain on Monday was second last out in the seven-furlong Citgo at Sam Houston Race Park and is a full brother to multiple stakes winner Boots on Sunday.

The Lone Star Derby, to be run at 1 1/16 miles, had a field of five probables as of Wednesday, completed by Wanner Runner, Red Raymond, and Mr. Pursuit. Wanna Runner, trained by Bob Baffert, pulled into the Lone Star backstretch just after 10 a.m. on Wednesday after flying in from Southern California. He will be ridden by Victor Espinoza, who was aboard the horse in his last start, when he won the $600,000 WinStar Derby at Sunland Park on April 1.

Red Raymond was scheduled to fly to Texas from his Churchill Downs base on Thursday. Trainer Bob Holthus will give the mount to Luis Quinonez. Red Raymond was second to Lawyer Ron in the Grade 3, $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn earlier this year.

* Vienna Circle shows a series of strong works in preparation for the featured ninth race Friday night. The six-furlong optional claimer will be his first start since July, when he won a one-mile allowance at Lone Star. Vienna Circle will face six others, including Logan's Draw, Jettin Affirmed, Herve, and Matty's Song. Roman Chapa has the mount on Vienna Circle for trainer Bruce Jackson.