Two-time winner Chasing Time will attempt to earn his way into the Kentucky Derby via the Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby on April 2 at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen told the Daily Racing Form the decision was made after the 3-year-old son of Not This Time worked five furlongs in a bullet 1:00 on March 21.
“He worked very well yesterday and came out of it in great shape,” Asmussen told DRF. “We need him to step forward, but feel he's capable of doing so.”
Kentucky Derby points on offer in the Arkansas Derby are awarded to the top four finishers: 100-40-20-10.
Bred in Kentucky by Tenlane Farm, Chasing Time is out of the winning Dixie Union mare Race Hunter, a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Paid Up Subscriber. A $115,000 yearling at the Keeneland September sale when he went to Royal Flush Racing, Chasing Time returned to the ring to bring $250,000 from MyRacehorse.com at the OBS April sale of 2-year-olds in training.
The colt required three starts to break his maiden, doing so in November at Churchill Downs, before finishing second in a December allowance race at Oaklawn. Chasing Time won his next start, his first try around two turns in an allowance optional claiming race on Jan. 14, by 7 3/4 lengths, but could do no better than fifth in the G2 Rebel Stakes last out.
Jose Lezcano will ride Chasing Time in the Arkansas Derby.
Read more at the Daily Racing Form.
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