HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The connections of Bricklin could have a decision Monday on whether the horse will run in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby on Saturday at Oaklawn Park or remain in the field for the $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes on Thursday.
Bricklin on Saturday was one of nine horses entered in the Arkansas Derby, a 1 1/8-mile race that will reward its first five finishers with Kentucky Derby points on a sliding scale of 100-50-25-15-10. The field includes Renegade, Silent Tactic, Litmus Test, Blackout Time and Napoleon Solo. Redland Rebels is cross-entered in the Florida Derby.
Bricklin exits a third-place finish in the Sunland Derby won by Pavlovian, who on Saturday was just edged when running second in the Louisiana Derby. Bricklin has been working at Oaklawn for Imagine Racing.
“He came out of the race great,” trainer Rodolphe Brisset said. “I like what we have seen so far, since [the race]. I think he really, really enjoys Oaklawn. So, for us, it was a no-brainer. We were going for the Hot Springs Mile. If he wins this, we can point to the Preakness. Or, we just try and go for the big one and see what happens. We will make a decision pretty soon.
“I’m leaning towards running in the Arkansas Derby as of right now, for a couple of different reasons. We’re going to talk about it, and try to make a decision on Monday.”
Jaime Torres is named on Bricklin in either race. The son of Nyquist drew post 3 for the seven-horse Hot Springs, which is restricted to 3-year-olds, and post 4 for the Arkansas Derby.
The complete Arkansas Derby field from the rail with riders is: Redland Rebels, Keith Asmussen; Silent Tactic, Cristian Torres; Blackout Time, Brian Hernandez Jr.; Bricklin, Jaime Torres; Taptastic, Erik Asmussen; Renegade, Irad Ortiz Jr.; Napoleon Solo, Kendrick Carmouche; Exosome, Adam Beschizza; and Litmus Test, Francisco Arrieta.
Napoleon Solo was supplemented to the Arkansas Derby, officials announced during the ceremonial draw for the race Saturday. Entries for the remainder of the card will be taken on Sunday.
Litmus Test and Blackout Time both turned in half-mile drills Saturday at Oaklawn, where the track was fast on a morning in the 60s. Each horse was timed in 48.40 seconds. Blackout Time went in company first after the renovation break.
The forecast for Saturday is sunny skies and a high of 74 degrees. The infield is scheduled to be open, according to track executive Chris Ho.
Ho said the infield also is scheduled to be open on Friday for the Fantasy Day card. Oaklawn moved the Grade 2, $1 million prep for the Kentucky Oaks back to Friday this year after previously running it on Arkansas Derby Day.
The Fantasy field from the rail with riders is: Search Party, Cristian Torres; Empath, Ramon Vazquez; Counting Stars, Francisco Arrieta; Taken by the Wind, Manny Esquivel; Sticker Shock, Irad Ortiz Jr.; and Explora, Flavien Prat.
Oaklawn will be dark on Sunday.
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