Afleet Alex in good order after record-setting win

Afleet Alex is Kentucky Derby bound (Jim Tyrrell/Horsephotos.com) Arkansas Derby (G2) hero AFLEET ALEX (Northern Afleet) is scheduled to leave Wednesday from Oaklawn Park for his trip to Churchill Downs and a run in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 7. He scored in Saturday’s $1 million Arkansas Derby by eight lengths, the largest margin of victory in the 69-year history of the race, and exited the race in good condition. “What a difference without a lung infection,” trainer Tim Ritchey said. “Alex ran the race I knew he could. And I guess he silenced the skeptics who said he couldn’t get two turns.” Ritchey surprised many when he entered Afleet Alex in the Mountain Valley S. at Oaklawn Park for his sophomore debut instead of waiting for the March 19 Rebel S. (G3), but the bay colt captured the six-furlong test by 2 3/4 lengths. Two weeks later, he ran in the Rebel and finished last. It was discovered after that race that the Grade 1 winner had a lung infection. A crowd of 71,010, the second largest in Oaklawn’s 101-year history, were on hand Saturday to watch Afleet Alex and regular rider Jeremy Rose take the nine-furlong Arkansas Derby. They also witnessed the race that gave Rose the riding title by one win over Calvin Borel, who is a two-time champion rider at the Hot Springs, Arkansas, track.

“This is a perfect ending,” Rose said. “It’s like a Cinderella-type story.
Get back on Alex, win the title on him, in the biggest race he’s ever won, and
I’ve ever won. You couldn’t ask for anything more.”

John Velazquez was named to ride Afleet Alex in the Rebel, but Rose was given
back the mount for Saturday’s event. Ritchey hasn’t said if Rose will retain the
ride on Afleet Alex in the Kentucky Derby.

“If they name me on, they name me on,” the Eclipse-winning rider said. “I
just love riding the horse.”

FLOWER ALLEY (Distorted Humor), the runner-up in the Arkansas Derby, earned
his trip to Kentucky, according to trainer Todd Pletcher.

“Flower Alley is an improving horse and he’ll get a mile and a quarter,”
Pletcher said. “So I think we will give it a try.”

Flower Alley, third-place finisher ANDROMEDA’S HERO (Fusaichi Pegasus),
seventh-place runner RUSH BAY (Cozzene) and WILD DESERT (Wild Rush), who ran
eighth, were all on a plane Sunday afternoon heading to Louisville, Kentucky.
Also on board the flight was ROCKPORT HARBOR (Unbridled’s Song), who is
scheduled to make his final prep for the Kentucky Derby in Saturday’s Lexington
S. (G2) at Keeneland, and his stablemate ROUND POND (Awesome Again), who captured
last Friday’s Fantasy S. (G2) and is set to make her next start in the
Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2) on May 20 at Pimlico.

GREATER GOOD (Intidab), who captured the Rebel over Afleet Alex but could do
no better than fifth on Saturday, also will take his chances in the Run for the
Roses.

“Greater Good has done a lot in his career so far,” trainer Bob Holthus said.
“So we plan to give him another chance.”

BATSON CHALLENGE (Ide), 10th and last in the Arkansas Derby, was discovered
to have two slab fractures of the knee and will be retired, according to trainer
Peter Vestal. The injury is not considered life-threatening and the bay colt
will head to Kentucky for surgery. Batson Challenge ends his career with a
record of 7-2-0-1, $61,465.