Classic Empire, Petrov drill for Arkansas Derby

Classic Empire and Petrov, who are among the leading contenders for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 15, both put in final works for the race Saturday. They are part of an anticipated field of 10 or 11 for the 1 1/8-mile race that closes out the meet at Oaklawn.

Entries will be taken Wednesday. The Arkansas Derby carries 170 eligibility points for the Kentucky Derby, to be awarded to the first four finishers on a scale of 100-40-20-10.

Classic Empire, back on the beam after hiccups this winter, worked a half-mile in 50 seconds at Winding Oaks Farm in Ocala, Fla., trainer Mark Casse said.

Exercise rider Alex Penna was up for the drill, the final one before Classic Empire heads to Oaklawn Park early this coming week.

Classic Empire refused to work at least twice at Palm Meadows before going to Winding Oaks, where he has stayed on schedule.

"It's nice to have something go right," Casse said.

Classic Empire was last year's male 2-year-old champion.

Petrov worked at his base of Oaklawn, where it was a sunny morning in the 50s and the track was fast. He is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel. Petrov worked soon after the track opened, breezing a half-mile by himself in 50 seconds. Oaklawn clockers had him galloping out five-eighths in 1:02.60.

Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount on Petrov, according to trainer Ron Moquett.

Other candidates for the Arkansas Derby include the Todd Pletcher-trained stakes winners One Liner, who accounted for the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest in February at Oaklawn, and Malagacy, the winner of the Rebel; as well as Blueridge Traveler, Conquest Mo Money, Dilettante, Lookin At Lee, Petrov, Silver Dust, Sonneteer, and Untrapped.

Conquest Mo Money, the runner-up in the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby last month in New Mexico, was scheduled to arrive at Oaklawn on Saturday, according to racing secretary Pat Pope.

– additional reporting by Mary Rampellini