Rocket Can likely to run next in Arkansas Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The imposing presence of reigning juvenile champion Forte in the lineup for the $1 million Florida Derby on April 1 could result in several other top 3-year-old prospects being re-routed elsewhere for their final Kentucky Derby prep. Among them is Holy Bull winner and Fountain of Youth runner-up Rocket Can, who will most likely make his next start the same day at Oaklawn Park in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.

Rocket Can has been galloping but probably won’t breeze until the end of next week, trainer Bill Mott said.

Rocket Can, owned by Frank Fletcher, finished 4 1/2 lengths behind the Todd Pletcher-trained Forte in the Fountain of Youth.

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“We’re no more than 50-50 to run here in the Florida Derby,” said Mott. “The owner is from Arkansas and he said he’d rather not run back against Forte again, that all things being equal, he’d prefer to see him run next in Arkansas. He’s been letting me run all these horses of his in Florida all winter, which makes sense. When the spots are here, you’ve got to run them where you think they can win. But I understand he’d like to see him run at his own track. So unless, for some reason, Todd doesn’t run Forte back here, Rocket Can will make his next start in the Arkansas Derby.”

Mott sent out Frank’s Rockette, owned by Fletcher, to a dominant eight-length victory in the Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie on Saturday.

Mott said that Shadow Dragon, who finished second in the Holy Bull and a distant fifth in the Fountain of Youth, would make his next start on April 8 at Aqueduct in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial. Owner Peachtree Stable wants to give Shadow Dragon one more shot in a Derby prep, Mott said.

“And if it doesn’t work, then he’s a New York-bred and he’s back up there,” Mott said. “Which I understand.”

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