Improbable and Gray Attempt tune up for Arkansas Derby

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Improbable and Gray Attempt had major works for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby and Country House was committed to the race in Friday developments for the centerpiece of the upcoming Racing Festival of the South at Oaklawn Park.

The Racing Festival, which comprises six stakes worth a cumulative $3.6 million, runs from April 12-14. The Arkansas Derby – which carries points for the Kentucky Derby – will anchor the Saturday, April 13, card which also features the Grade 2, $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap and Grade 3, $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap.

Grade 1 winner Improbable worked a bullet six furlongs in 1:14 at his Santa Anita base Friday for an intended start in the Arkansas Derby. He launched his 3-year-old season last month at Oaklawn, finishing second by a neck in the first division of the Grade 2, $750,000 Rebel.

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Improbable, who is to be ridden by Jose Ortiz, is expected to be part of a California contingent of horses flying in Tuesday.

Gray Attempt worked five-eighths by himself in a bullet 58.60 seconds Friday at Oaklawn. The track was muddy. Stewart Elliott was aboard for the move, which started at the half-mile pole and extended past the wire to the seven-eighths pole. Trainer Jinks Fires structured the drill to carry into the first turn because it's where Gray Attempt had significant trouble in the Southwest, sustaining a physical setback that forced him to miss the Rebel.

“I wanted to get him past that place where they tried to put him into the rail,” Fires said. “I just wanted to let him know that turn is not going to jump out and grab him every time he goes by.”

Fires said he was impressed with the move from Gray Attempt, who is coming off a win in the $125,000 Gazebo at six furlongs March 23 at Oaklawn. Earlier in the meet the horse won the $150,000 Smarty Jones to pick up 10 points for the Kentucky Derby.

Country House is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 23. Earlier in the Fair Grounds meet he ran second in the Grade 2 Risen Star. Both races came under Luis Saez. Mott said Friday that Joel Rosario will have the mount in the Arkansas Derby.

A flight bringing horses from Florida is scheduled to arrive Wednesday.

Entries for the Arkansas Derby will be taken on Wednesday.

Galilean, the Southern California-based runner who was third in the first division of the Rebel, is scheduled to return for the Arkansas Derby.

“We’re coming back,” said Terry Finley, president of West Point Thoroughbreds.

Finley said Flavien Prat has the mount in the Arkansas Derby.

The 1 1/8-mile race had a working list of nine to 10 potential starters as of Friday. They include Omaha Beach (Mike Smith to ride), winner of the second division of the Rebel; Long Range Toddy (Jon Court), winner of the first division of the Rebel; Anothertwistafate (Juan Hernandez), runner-up in the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby; and local allowance winners Jersey Agenda and Laughing Fox.

The first four finishers will earn Kentucky Derby points on a scale of 100-40-20-10.

The Festival opens with the Grade 2, $500,000 Fantasy for 3-year-old fillies on Friday. It is a points race for the Kentucky Oaks. The Festival continues with Arkansas Derby Day - which in the past had been closing day – and Apple Blossom Day on Sunday, April 14. The Grade 1, $750,000 Apple Blossom will share a card with the $150,000 Fifth Season.

Oaklawn’s meet continues through May 4.

- additional reporting by Jay Privman