Greater Good has final work

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Greater Good put in his final work for the Grade 2, $1 million Arkansas Derby on Saturday morning at Oaklawn Park, going six furlongs in company in a bullet 1:12.60.

He is one of the top choices for the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby, which will close out the meet next Saturday.

Greater Good came on the track at 6:55 a.m. Central and backtracked to the quarter pole under regular rider John McKee. He went into his work at the six-furlong pole, breaking off a few lengths behind regular workmate Copy My Notes.

Greater Good tracked his workmate down the backside, inched closer to him on the turn, drew even with him after straightening up for home, then overtook him and completed his work at the wire. Greater Good's fractional times were 12.19 seconds for the opening furlong, 24.15 for the opening quarter, 36.27 for three furlongs, 48.84 for the half-mile mark, and he galloped out seven furlongs in 1:27.17.

He came home his final quarter in 23.76 seconds, according to clockers at Oaklawn.

"I thought he worked well," said Bob Holthus, who trains Greater Good. "I told John I'd like for him to go in 1:13, and he went in 1:12.60, and John said he did it very easily. He didn't ask him for much."

Copy My Notes went six furlongs in 1:14.40 and is being pointed for the $75,000 Northern Spur Breeders' Cup at Oaklawn.

Greater Good has never been beaten around two turns, with all of his route wins coming in stakes, including the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes and the Grade 3 Rebel Stakes.

* Chindi, 11, became a millionaire Friday at Oaklawn when he finished third in the 10th race, an allowance, and earned $3,600 to push his bankroll to $1,000,838. He will continue to race as long as he is competitive at the allowance level, said his trainer, Steve Hobby.