Archarcharch, Decisive Moment please connections with final moves

Archarcharch, Decisive Moment please connections with final

moves

Archarcharch has taken the Oaklawn Park route to the Runs for the Roses,

making his seasonal bow a fourth in the Smarty Jones S. before capturing his

graded debut in the Southwest S. (G3). He finished third in the Rebel S. (G2)

after chasing the fast pace, but will enter the Kentucky Derby off a gutsy neck

victory in the Arkansas Derby on April 16.

"I feel that he has gotten better since the Arkansas Derby and Jon feels that

way, too," Fires said. "I've felt good about him all along since the first time

we worked him. We are just hoping for a good trip for him and hope that

happens."

The stretch of rainy weather during his extended stay at Churchill has not

dampened Arias' enthusiasm over his Derby experience. In fact, the

less-than-ideal conditions have bolstered his confidence in his Florida-bred

colt.

"I came early enough that I've been able to train him over different type of

conditions on this track," he said. "He's adjusted to every one of them

excellent."

Arias has never saddled a Derby starter and is intent on enjoying the

experience to the fullest.

"This is what you get up for every day. You get up; do your job; do the best

you can with the stock that you have; rotate horses until you get the chance to

run into a horse like Decisive Moment," the Panamanian native said. "This is

very exciting. This is a world class race."

In other Derby news:

Tony Matos, agent for jockey Garrett Gomez, said Friday morning that Gomez

has been confirmed to ride MASTER OF HOUNDS (Kingmambo) in Kentucky Derby 137.

Sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) under the Twin Spires last fall

with Johnny Murtagh aboard, the bay is scheduled to arrive at Churchill on

Tuesday. He'll enter the 10-furlong test off a nose runner-up effort in the

U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) in his lone 2011 start under Ryan Moore.

BRILLIANT SPEED (Dynaformer) arrived at Churchill Friday following a van ride

from Keeneland, where he stamped his ticket into the Derby with a nose score in

the Blue Grass S. (G1). The dark bay arrived at 2:15 p.m. and is stabled in Barn

42. Trainer Tom Albertrani said the colt would work Monday.

The South Florida-based trainer said Mucho Macho Man was responding well to

the cooler temperatures in Louisville.

"It's good for the horse. I don't know about Kathy though," Ritvo quipped

while clutching at the ends of her jacket collar. "I hadn't seen the sun in

days."

Mucho Macho Man, who'll be ridden by Rajiv Maragh, hasn't raced since March

26 in the Louisiana Derby (G2), in which he finished a close third after losing

a shoe shortly after the start.

"I think he's done really well. He has really good consistent works, long

works. He's galloped out well after all of his works. What we're interested in

are the next three races, so we wanted him to come into this race as a fresh

horse," Ritvo said.

ANIMAL KINGDOM (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]) galloped 1 1/2 miles at 7:15 a.m.

(EDT) Friday morning, a little more than an hour earlier than the time reserved

for Derby and Oaks horses. Trainer Graham Motion said he couldn't get Animal

Kingdom and Kentucky Oaks (G1) candidate Summer Soiree (War Front) out at the

same time during the Derby-Oaks break so the chestnut colt went out during the

busier period.

"She's quite strong and it was more important for her to have the quiet

track," Motion said. "Actually, I thought it would be better for him to have

plenty of activity out there for him to look at."

Motion said that jockey Robby Albarado, who will ride Animal Kingdom in the

Derby, will be up for a scheduled breeze Saturday morning, probably after the

renovation break. The work will either be five-eighths or three-quarters of a

mile. It is the first breeze since the Spiral winner covered five furlongs in

1:02 4/5 on April 23. Motion noted that the Keeneland breeze didn't go as

planned because the workmate didn't move along as quickly as expected.

"I would rather that he had done a little more in his work last week, but

it's not the end of the world. He'll get a decent work here (on Saturday)."

Motion said.

The conditioner will fly back to Maryland Saturday afternoon so he can

oversee a work by his other Derby horse, TOBY'S CORNER (Bellamy Road), Sunday

morning at the Fair Hill training center in Elkton, Maryland. Toby's Corner,

winner of the Wood Memorial (G1), is scheduled to be shipped by van from Fair

Hill to Churchill Downs on Monday. Eddie Castro will ride Toby's Corner in the

Derby.

"I'd rather work Sunday and give the track another day to dry out," Breen

said.

NEHRO (Mineshaft) continued his preparations for Derby 137 with a one-mile

gallop over a fast track at Churchill on Friday. Regular exercise rider Carlos

Rosas was in the saddle aboard the Steve Asmussen trainee when he went to the

track around 6:15 a.m. The Arkansas Derby second's final pre-Derby work is set

for Monday. Assistant Scott Blasi said the colt would probably work in one of

Asmussen's early sets, but that could change if weather becomes a factor.

Sunland Derby (G3) winner TWICE THE APPEAL (Successful Appeal) jogged before

the renovation break under exercise rider Nate Quinonez and is scheduled to work

Saturday morning at 6:05 under race rider Calvin Borel. Fellow Jeff Bonde

trainee SWAY AWAY (Afleet Alex) also jogged and is scheduled to work Saturday.

Sway Away is 24th on the list of potential Kentucky Derby entrants for a field

that is limited to the top 20 graded stakes earners.

TWINSPIRED (Harlan's Holiday) galloped 1 1/2 miles at Trackside Louisville

under exercise rider Derrick Smith for trainer Mike Maker on Friday. Maker plans

to work the Blue Grass runner-up around 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning at Trackside.

Also galloping at Trackside Friday morning was Lexington S. (G3) hero DERBY

KITTEN (Kitten's Joy), who sits 22nd on the list of graded stakes earners

considering a Derby run.