Trainer Jinks Fires sent Arkansas Derby (gr. I) winner Archarcharch to the track at Churchill Downs on the morning of May 3 for what he described as a strong gallop.
The "gallop," in company with another 3-year-old colt named Supreme Ruler, was so strong the clockers at Churchill Downs took it for a workout, timed in :52 for the four furlongs over the sloppy track as Archarcharch continued to look good during the week leading up to the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
“I couldn’t believe they caught that as a work,” said Fires. “I just had them out there galloping.”
The exercise by the Arch colt was one of the few activities by any of the Derby horses on another wet morning at Churchill Downs. There was steady rain, sometimes heavy, falling throughout training hours and many trainers of Derby contenders chose not to send their charges to the track at all.
On April 29 Archarcharch breezed in company with Supreme Ruler, with his :59 2/5 clocking for five furlongs on the fast main the best work of 58 that morning. Archarcharch galloped out six furlongs in 1:12 4/5.
