Report: Un Ojo's Kentucky Derby hopes rest on Saturday work

Un Ojo has had staples removed from an injury sustained in the Arkansas Derby (G2), and a work this weekend will determine whether he'll start next in the Kentucky Derby.

Trainer Ricky Courville told he Daily Racing Form that the Rebel Stakes (G2) winner had "superficial cut" on his shoulder. "He hit the fence twice, and he hit it hard enough to scrape the hair off, peel the skin back."

Un Ojo will work Saturday in Louisiana, according to the report, and will ship to Churchill Downs next week if his connections like what they see.

Courville told the DRF that he expects Un Ojo would "come from way back” in the Kentucky Derby. "To me, the Derby this year, everybody’s got speed. He’ll run either way, but in the Derby we’ll probably let him settle back and see what happens.

"He can come running like he did in the Withers and pick up the pieces."

Ramon Vazquez, who rode Un Ojo in the Rebel and Arkansas Derby, would have the mount in the Kentucky Derby as well, according to the report.