Untrapped, Lookin at Lee work in company ahead of Arkansas Derby

Multiple Grade 2-placed Untrapped and stakes victor Lookin at Lee worked in company on Sunday at Oaklawn Park ahead of expected starts in Saturday’s $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1).

The duo took to the Oaklawn track just after the fast track opened Sunday morning. The Steve Asmussen trainees were caught breezing five furlongs in 1:00.40, second fastest of 26 moves at that distance on the day. They also each galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.60.

“They worked great, super work,” Asmussen said. “That’s as good as Lookin at Lee’s ever worked. Laid-back horse. Maybe the timing is great. And Untrapped has always been impressive.”

Untrapped broke his maiden at Churchill Downs last fall and thus far this season has placed in the Lecomte Stakes (G3) and Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds as well as the Rebel Stakes (G2) last out at Oaklawn.

Lookin at Lee, winner of the Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes last August, closed out his two-year-old campaign with a fourth-placing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). He returned February 20 to be third in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn and ran sixth in the Rebel on March 18.

Asmussen said he has yet to finalize Arkansas Derby riding assignments for Untrapped and Lookin at Lee.

The Arkansas Derby is also expected to attract unbeaten Malagacy, two-length winner of the Rebel over the re-opposing Sonneteer.

Petrov and Silver Dust, the respective fourth- and fifth-place runners in the Rebel, will return as well.

Champion Classic Empire will try his luck in the Arkansas Derby while under consideration for the race are last-out Spiral Stakes (G3) runner-up Blueridge Traveler and Dilettante, fifth in the Southwest and sixth most recently in the March 26 Sunland Derby (G3).