Un Ojo will go in Arkansas Derby
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. -- Un Ojo will make his next start in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby on April 2 at Oaklawn Park, trainer Ricky Courville said Tuesday.
The connections of last month's Rebel winner at Oaklawn had been leaning toward a start in the Blue Grass at Keeneland, but in the last week have made the decision to target the Arkansas Derby. The one-eyed horse is based in Louisiana.
“I think it was just a little bit better on him,” Courville said. “It’s a little five-hour trip versus going to Keeneland, and the Blue Grass might be coming up tougher than expected. He also just won in Arkansas, and running him back on that track seemed like the thing to do. He likes that track,”
Un Ojo pulled a 75-1 upset in the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel on Feb. 26, one start after running second in the Grade 3 Withers on Feb. 5 at Aqueduct.
The Beyer Speed Figures for horses who ran in the Withers have been increased by nine points each. Un Ojo’s number has been upgraded to an 80. He earned a career-high 84 in the Rebel.
Un Ojo is based at the Copper Crowne training center near Lafayette, La.
“He’s doing good,” Courville said. “He’s going to get a work at the end of the week. We’ll send him up to Oaklawn. He’ll get one work there.”
Ramon Vazquez won the Rebel on Un Ojo and Courville said he’s hopeful the rider will be back aboard for the Arkansas Derby.
Un Ojo races for Cypress Creek Equine.