Oaklawn: Najjaar breezes for Arkansas Derby

Najjaar, a two-time winner at the meet eyeing the Arkansas Derby, worked five furlongs in company Friday morning at Oaklawn. He went in 1:00 under jockey Calvin Borel, with Oaklawn head clocker Jim Hamilton carrying him through fractions of 12.20 for the opening eighth of a mile, 24.40 for the first quarter, 36.60 for three-furlongs, and galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.20.

Najjaar, who was sixth last out in the Grade 2, $500,000 Rebel, races for Shadwell Stable and is trained by Dan Peitz.

The list of possibles for the Arkansas Derby includes Atigun, Bodemeister, Handsome Mike, Heavy Breathing, Isn’t He Clever, Jake Mo, Najjaar, Optimizer, Sabercat, Scatman, Secret Circle, and Stat.

Entries for the race will be taken Wednesday.

◗ Horse of the Year Havre de Grace galloped about 1 1/2 miles Friday morning at Oaklawn, in preparation for a possible start in the Grade 1, $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap here April 13. She went under exercise rider Robert Cline, who has been aboard the mare all week with the exception of Wednesday, the morning after he and his fiancé, Kelsi Harr, welcomed a new daughter. Havre de Grace is scheduled to work here Saturday.