Optimizer trained ahead of the Arkansas Derby
Bluegrass Hall’s 3-year-old colt, Optimizer, started off his sophomore season in disappointing fashion when he finished an unplaced 9th in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes to winner El Padrino on 25 February, 2012, but he showed character in his
next start, where he flashed his true potential in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes and from 9th in his previous start, Optimizer turned in a second place finish in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes to the early Kentucky Derby favourite, Secret Circle.
D. Wayne Lukas trained, Optimizer, is now looking for a rematch with the Rebel Stakes winner, Secret Circle, on a much bigger stage and with a lot at stake in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby over a distance of 1 1/8 miles at Oaklawn Park on 14 April,
2012.
The Kentucky bred son of English Channel, out of mare Indy Pick by A.P. Indy, Optimizer under jockey Jon Court turned in five furlongs at Oaklawn Park in 1 minute and 1 1/5 seconds.
Jockey Jon Court was aboard Optimizer for the first time in the Rebel Stakes, and the jockey will be riding the colt once again in the Arkansas Derby, and the pair will look to break the colt’s 8 race losing streak in the marquee race of the season.
“It was very well done,” said Lukas. “It was right on the money for us this close to the race. The idea was to keep his interest up. Now we have to keep him happy. He’s had a good three weeks (since his last race).”
He definitely did turn heads with his furious run in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes, but that second place effort only earned him $100,000 which shot up his graded stakes earnings to $181,375, he would need around $250,000 to get the gate in the Kentucky Derby.
However, Lukas has been here before, and with 2 Arkansas Derby wins coupled with four Kentucky Derby wins, the trainer is in familiar waters.
“I think we sorted out a lot across the country last weekend,” he said. “We are set to clarify it even more Saturday. I think we are ready. For everybody, now it’s a matter of keeping it all together over the next few weeks.”
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