Lawyer Ron faces 13 in Arkansas Derby

LAWYER RON (Langfuhr) will be the big favorite in Saturday's $1 million

Arkansas Derby (G2), but the Rebel S. (G3) and Southwest S. winner didn't scare

off the competition. Fourteen were entered to the 1 1/8-mile race, but only 13

will head to the post due to the defection of Well Said (Aptitude). The Arkansas

Derby provides a final opportunity for graded earnings in order to make the Kentucky Derby (G1) field,

but they

all face a difficult challenge against the imposing presence of Lawyer Ron.

Trained by Bob Holthus, Lawyer Ron is extremely versatile, winning the

Southwest wire to wire and the Rebel from off the pace, and hasn't been

seriously challenged since switching to the dirt in December, winning his last

five starts. The chestnut colt will break from post 5 with regular rider John

McKee.

He'll be joined by stablemate RED RAYMOND (Deputy Commander) in the field and

the improving sophomore merits respect after finishing a good second in the

Rebel. Another late runner to consider is STEPPENWOLFER (Aptitude), who has

placed in both the Rebel and Southwest. HIGH COTTON (Dixie Union) has shipped in

for Todd Pletcher off a wire-to-wire score in the Rushaway S. at Turfway Park,

and Nick Zito hopes to turn things around for the Grade 1-placed SUPERFLY (Fusaichi

Pegasus) on Saturday.

Other interesting contenders include Lane's End S. (G2) hero WITH A CITY

(City Zip) and Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) victor PRIVATE VOW (Broken Vow), who

is a threat to rebound off a disappointing showing in his seasonal bow.

The full field, from the rail with jockeys, is NEW JOYSEY JEFF (Bright

Launch), Jose Valdivia Jr.; Steppenwolfer, Robby Albarado; High Cotton, Chris

DeCarlo; With a City, Brice Blanc; Lawyer Ron; JEALOUS PROFIT (Trippi), Aaron Gryder; Private Vow, Shaun Bridgmohan;

Red Raymond, Luis Quinonez; SIMON PURE (Silver Deputy), Jon Court; NOB HILL

DEELITE (Afternoon Deelites), Corey Lanerie; Superfly, Willie Martinez; FILM

FORTUNE (Indy Film), Terry Thompson; and SAYHELLOTOLARRY (Victory Gallop),

Calvin Borel.

With Oaklawn allowing only 12 betting interests, New Joysey Jeff, Nob Hill

Deelite and Film Fortune will all race as part of the mutuel field.