Oaklawn Park: Tapiture, Ride On Curlin work for Arkansas Derby

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Tapiture had a significant workout Monday for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby, breezing five furlongs in company in 1:00.80 at his Oaklawn Park base. He could go favored in the Arkansas Derby, a 1 1/8-mile race that closes out the meet April 12.

Tapiture is a leading Kentucky Derby hopeful for Winchell Thoroughbreds and trainer Steve Asmussen on the strength of his wins in the Grade 2
Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs and the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn. The work Monday was his first since he finished second by a half-length in the Grade 2 Rebel at Oaklawn on March 15.

Tapiture came out in the second set of horses on a clear, 52-degree morning during which the track was rated “fast.” He warmed up, then broke off about 1 1/2 lengths behind Grade 3 winner Sabercat. Tapiture quickly moved up to track his workmate through fractions of 13 seconds for the opening furlong, a first quarter-mile in 24.60, and three furlongs in 37.60. He finished on even terms, with Oaklawn head clocker Jim Hamilton getting Tapiture’s final quarter in 23.20 seconds. Tapiture galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.

Asmussen said he was pleased that Tapiture was willing to settle just behind Sabercat. “I was very pleased to see how relaxed he was off of him early,” Asmussen said. “It was nice and smooth. It was what we were hoping for.”

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Tapiture breezed under regular exercise rider Abel Flores and will be ridden by Joel Rosario in the Arkansas Derby.

Ride On Curlin, third in the Rebel, breezed Sunday for the Arkansas Derby. He went five furlongs in 1:00.60 under jockey Jon Court for trainer Billy Gowan.

–additional reporting by Jay Privman