Untrapped likely to add blinkers for Arkansas Derby

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Arkansas Derby probables Untrapped and Lookin At Lee worked in company Sunday at Oaklawn Park. The multiple graded stakes-placed pair is trained by Steve Asmussen.

It was a clear morning in the 50s at Oaklawn. The track was fast.

Untrapped and Lookin At Lee covered five furlongs in 1:00.40. The drill was the second-fastest of 26 at the distance Sunday at Oaklawn. Asmusssen said Untrapped, who was on the rail, worked in blinkers and most likely will add the equipment for the Arkansas Derby.

“We moved the works up a day because of the forecast,” Asmussen said. “It worked out well. I thought Untrapped and Lookin At Lee worked super.

“Lookin At Lee has always been a very laid-back horse, and that’s as good a work as I’ve ever seen him put in, which is very good timing considering what’s on his agenda. Untrapped, we’ve been training him in blinkers all week and I was pleased with how he handled in them. So, we'll go from there.”

Asmussen said he has not yet confirmed riders for either Untrapped or Lookin At Lee.

The Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby will be run on the final card of the Oaklawn meet April 15.

Untrapped was third in last month’s Grade 2 Rebel at Oaklawn, following a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds.

Lookin At Lee was sixth in the Rebel, and before that was third in the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn, and ran second in last year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland.

Asmussen said Kentucky Derby prospect Hence, who returned to Oaklawn last week following his victory in the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby on March 26, is now settled in at Churchill Downs.