Sole Volante, Panici to partner up again in Arkansas Derby

Trainer Patrick Biancone said Monday that his Tampa Bay Derby runner-up Sole Volante is still on target for the $750,000 Arkansas Derby on May 2 at Oaklawn Park. Sole Volante, winner of the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis at Tampa earlier this winter, has had just one work since the Tampa Derby, an easy half-mile in 50 seconds on March 15 at Palm Meadows.

“Since we had no intention of running in the Florida Derby, I gave him a little break,” Biancone said. “He’s in good condition, but he’ll be back on the work tab this week with the Arkansas Derby the plan, if the race goes.”

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Luca Panici, who returned to the saddle this past weekend after missing a month due to a fractured collarbone suffered in a riding mishap earlier in the meet, will have the mount back on Sole Volante in the Arkansas Derby. Florent Geroux substituted for the injured Panici in the Tampa Bay Derby.

“Luca is a big part of our team,” Biancone said. “He’s done a very good job for us, and it will be good to have the whole team back together again.”