Lookin at Lee, Untrapped put in final Arkansas Derby works

Oaklawn leading trainer Steve Asmussen’s top prospects for the Racing Festival of the South stakes put in their final works Sunday morning, including his Arkansas Derby double of Lookin At Lee and Untrapped.

It was an overcast morning in the 60s in Hot Springs, Ark. The track was fast.

Untrapped, who comes off a third-place finish in the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel at Oaklawn, went a half-mile by himself in 51 seconds. Lookin at Lee did the same, also going in 51 seconds. Lookin At Lee was third in the Grade 3, $500,000 Southwest in February at Oaklawn.

“Untrapped and Lookin At Lee had nice, smooth half-miles,” Asmussen said after the works Sunday. “I think we’re in very good shape with both of them.”

Asmussen said Luis Contreras has the mount on Lookin At Lee for the Arkansas Derby on Saturday, while Mike Smith will ride Untrapped.

Asmussen said Smith also will ride Holy Boss, who is being pointed to the Grade 3, $400,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap on Saturday. Holy Boss, a Grade 2 winner, breezed a half-mile in 50.80 seconds Sunday.

Terra Promessa, a multiple stakes winner at Oaklawn, breezed Sunday for the Grade 1, $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap, going in 50.20 seconds. Asmussen said Jose Ortiz has the mount on Friday.

The Apple Blossom will be drawn Tuesday. The Arkansas Derby will be drawn Wednesday. The races are the lone Grade 1 stakes in the region, and they are the anchors of the three-day Racing Festival of the South. The festival features seven stakes over the final three dates of the meet, with the races worth a total of $3.45 million.