Rockport Harbor heading to Keeneland

Grade 2 hero ROCKPORT HARBOR (Unbridled's Song) worked seven furlongs on the

fast track at Oaklawn Park on Sunday in 1:25 3/5. It was the sophomore's first

work in a month and after a brief call to owner Rick Porter, trainer John Servis

said his charge will head for the Lexington S. (G2) on April 23 instead of

Saturday's $1 million Arkansas Derby (G2).

"Rocky's work was fine; it was pretty much what we wanted," Servis said. "But

it's clear he got tired at the end, he didn't gallop out the way he usually

does, and he was blowing pretty hard when he got back to the barn. He's just not

ready for a tough race like the Arkansas Derby.

"Obviously, this isn't what we wanted," he added. "The Arkansas Derby was

always the ideal way to go, but we have no choice."

Regular rider Stewart Elliott flew into the Hot Springs, Arkansas, track

from New York to work Rockport Harbor. The pair worked in company with stablemate and stakes winner Pilfer (Deputy Minister), going to the track about

7:30 a.m. (CDT). They broke off at the seven-eighths pole and recorded fractions

of :11 4/5, :23 2/5, :34 4/5, :46 4/5 and :59 2/5 before galloping out a mile in

1:40 3/5.

"Rockport Harbor got a little tired toward the end, but that's

understandable," Elliott said, referring to the 26 seconds it took his mount to

travel the quarter-mile from the quarter-pole to the finish line. "He's missed a

lot of time. Otherwise, it was a good breeze. John wanted him to get something

out of it and he did."

Foot problems and, most recently, a blood clot on the neck have plagued

Rockport Harbor, who entered the season as one of the more anticipated Derby

contenders. In his only start this season, the gray colt finished second in the

Rebel S. (G3).

"The blood clot was a killer," Servis said. "The timing was terrible, and it

threw Rocky's schedule way off. If not for the blood clot, he would have had a

strong gallop last weekend, and he would have worked three-quarters in 1:13 or

so this morning."

Servis indicated the Kentucky Derby (G1) is still Rockport Harbor's main

goal, but it also depends on his run in the Lexington S.

"It all depends on the Lexington," he said. "If Rocky runs the way we expect,

he'll go on to the Kentucky Derby. If not, we'll regroup and maybe point for the

Preakness. In the meantime, he'll work once more, either here or at Keeneland,

depending on when we get there."

Servis said he's awaiting a return call from Tex Sutton to make travel plans

for Rockport Harbor. In the meantime, another one of his charges, ROUND POND

(Awesome Again), worked five furlongs in a bullet :58 3/5 with Elliott up in

preparation for Friday's Fantasy S. (G2) at Oaklawn. The bay miss has already

scored in the Honeybee S. during the meet and is scheduled to have Elliott in

the saddle on Friday.