Mr. Z breezes for possible Arkansas Derby start

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Mr. Z breezed a half-mile Monday at Oaklawn Park in preparation for a possible start in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas said conversations are being held with owner Ahmed Zayat and his family concerning a potential start in Saturday’s race. Entries for the Arkansas Derby will be taken on Wednesday.

“I’m hoping that Mr. Z will let us run Mr. Z,” Lukas said Monday.

Mr. Z breezed in the first set, working as a team with a mate on a track rated fast. Mr. Z was situated to his company’s outside, and edged his workmate by about a half-length. Clockers had Mr. Z in 48.20 seconds. The horse worked in blinkers, and will wear them in his next start, said Lukas.

Mr. Z removed blinkers for his most recent start, the Louisiana Derby. He finished ninth in the race run March 28. Prior to that race, Mr. Z had run third in his last three races, the $150,000 Smarty Jones and Grade 3, $300,000 Southwest Stakes, both at his base of Oaklawn Park, and the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity won by Dortmund.

:: Bet the Arkansas Derby with DRF Bets. Get up to a $500 cash bonus! Find out more today.

Jockey Ramon Vazquez worked Mr. Z on Monday and will have the mount if the horse goes in the Arkansas Derby, said Lukas.

The Arkansas Derby has a working list of eight starters on Monday. Other candidates anticipated by Oaklawn racing secretary Pat Pope are American Pharoah, Far Right, Madefromlucky, Bold Conquest, The Truth Or Else, Bridget's Big Luvy, and Win the Space.