King Guillermo and Attachment Rate work for possible Arkansas Derby start

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - King Guillermo and Attachment Rate, 3-year-olds with possible designs on the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on May 2, topped a very busy work tab Saturday morning at Gulfstream Park.

Breezing for the first time since upsetting the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby at odds of 49-1 on March 7, King Guillermo cruised an easy half-mile in 49.02 shortly after the renovation break, completing his final quarter in 23.92 over the fast but somewhat cuppy track before galloping out five furlongs in 1:02.26. Trainer Juan Avila said earlier this week that King Guillermo would likely complete all his preparations for the Arkansas Derby here.

It was nearly two hours later when Attachment Rate hit the track as one of the final workers of the morning over a strip that had been well worn. The steadily improving Attachment Rate, who finished third in the Grade 3 Gotham on March 7, went five furlongs from the half-mile pole in 1:01.14. He went easily before getting one tap of a right-hand stick when leaning out just a tad completing the move on the clubhouse turn. He galloped out six furlongs in a willing 1:13.96.

“He looked great this morning, didn’t he?” trainer Dale Romans asked rhetorically outside the racing office a short while later. “He’s really doing well right now.”

Romans said he remains undecided at this point but did not rule out the Arkansas Derby for Attachment Rate’s next start.

Romans was also singing the praises of his other top 3-year-old prospect Dennis’ Moment, who was bucking and kicking and giving regular exercise rider Tammy Fox all she could handle passing through the wire during a routine gallop on Saturday. Dennis’ Moment, the favorite in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, has not started or worked since his last place finish as the 6-5 favorite in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth here on Feb. 29.

“He’s really feeling good right now, he’s ready to get back on the work tab real soon,” said Romans.