Ridgling Far Right Works for Arkansas Derby
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Photo:
Coady Photography
Far Right continued preparations for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) April 11 by working five furlongs after the renovation break Thursday morning at Oaklawn under Greta Kuntzweiler. Far Right, who worked in company with stablemate Peteizum, a 5-year-old starter-allowance gelding, was credited with 1:00.80 over a fast-rated surface. According to clockers, he covered his final quarter-mile in :24.40 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.80. Peteizum went 5 furlongs in 1:01.40.
Trainer Ron Moquett said early Thursday morning that he would monitor the track surface before deciding when to breeze Far Right for the second time since his victory in the $300,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 22.
“I’ve read all the quotes from the Derby trainers over the years,” Moquett said moments after the work. “It doesn’t matter whether they worked 1:05 or :58, it was: ‘Exactly what they were looking for.’ As long as he came back good, that’s all I care about.”
Far Right, in his first work since the Southwest, breezed five furlongs in 1:04 March 9. He also won the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 19 in his 3-year-old debut. Moquett said Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, aboard for both the Smarty Jones and Southwest, is scheduled to again ride Far Right in the Arkansas Derby.
No Equipment Change
Although Kentucky Derby candidate Far Right has been listed as a colt, the son of Notional will be denoted as a ridgling “going forward,” trainer Ron Moquett said Thursday morning. Far Right was listed as a colt for both the Smarty Jones and Southwest.
“He was always a ridgling,” Moquett said. “He’s always been the same way. We never changed the papers on anything, but we just wanted to make sure we had it clear going forward. That is the definition of what he is.”
Although Far Right has one undescended testicle, Moquett said the condition hasn’t impacted his racing career, and won’t stop him from becoming a stallion. “He’s very much a stud,” he said. One of thoroughbred racing’s most famous ridglings is A.P. Indy, who excelled on the track and in the breeding shed.
Harry Rosenblum of Little Rock, Ark., privately purchased Far Right last summer, following his second career start. Rosenblum sold a minority interest in Far Right to Robert LaPenta before the Smarty Jones.
Stuck in Mud
Doug Anderson finds himself in the same position he was a week ago – monitoring the weather forecast. It still doesn’t look good.
Anderson co-owns and trains multiple stakes winner Sugar Shock, who is entered in Friday’s eighth race, a conditioned allowance/optional claimer for older fillies and mares at a mile. But, Anderson said Sugar Shock will be scratched if there’s an off track because the 4-year-old Candy Ride filly doesn’t handle the mud.
Sugar Shock was entered in last Saturday’s $300,000 Azeri Stakes (G2) but scratched because of an off track.
There is a 100 percent chance of rain Friday, according to The Weather Channel
“If things don’t fall right, we’ll have to go to a different plan,” said Anderson, who hopes to use Friday’s race as a prep for the $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 10.
Anderson said if Sugar Shock is scratched from Friday’s race, the $350,000 Madison Stakes (G1) April 4 at Keeneland is “back on the table.” “If we don’t run tomorrow, that’s probably where we’ll end up having to go,” Anderson said.
Sugar Shock hasn’t started since winning the $100,000 American Beauty Stakes Jan. 24 in her 4-year-old debut.
Source: Oaklawn Park Barn Notes
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