Lawyer Ron, rivals work toward Arkansas Derby

Over Oaklawn Park's fast track on Saturday, recent Rebel S. (G3) hero LAWYER

RON (Langfuhr) worked a half-mile in a bullet :48 with regular rider John McKee

aboard. The Bob Holthus trainee's time was the co-fastest of 46 moves at the

distance. His next target on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail is the April 15

Arkansas Derby (G2).

Clocker James Hamilton reported that Lawyer Ron's splits were :12, :24 1/5

and :35 3/5, and that the sophomore galloped out five-eighths in 1:01 and

three-quarters in 1:15 2/5.

"Lawyer Ron looked real comfortable, " Hamilton observed. "The rider never

really asked him. The colt did everything on his own and galloped out good. He

was so full of run that he needed the outrider to pick him up on the backside."

The chestnut has reeled off four straight stakes victories -- the Diamond Jo

S. in his juvenile finale, the Risen Star S. (G3) in his three-year-old bow, the

Southwest S. and the Rebel.

Rebel runner-up RED RAYMOND (Deputy Commander), also trained by Holthus,

traveled his half-mile in :48 3/5 under jockey Luis Quinonez.

Holthus was pleased with his dynamic duo.

"Both horses worked well, well within themselves, and galloped out well,"

Holthus said. "Both will go five-eighths next Saturday, and that will be it

before the (Arkansas) Derby."

Rebel third STEPPENWOLFER (Aptitude) exercised five furlongs in 1:02. His

splits were reported as :13, :25 2/5 and :38 3/5.

Rebel fourth WELL SAID (Aptitude) stopped the watch in 1:03, with reported

splits of :12 4/5, :38 2/5 and :51.