Man Among Men Shows Improving Signs

(from track report)
Man Among Men, a disappointing seventh in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) on March 16, will attempt to regain his footing on the Triple Crown trail when the son of Gentlemen runs in the $500,000 Arkansas Derby on April 12.

""He had a very nice work on Monday (six furlongs in 1:11.40 at Hollywood Park)," trainer Gary Mandella said of Man Among Men, who defeated Kentucky Derby favorite Empire Maker in the Feb. 7 Sham Stakes.

"He galloped out a mile in 1:39, so it looks like he's back and doing good," Mandella added. "That might be the best work he's had on the dirt yet. I feel pretty good about him. We're going to take him to Arkansas and take our best shot at accumulating a little bit of purse money so that if he runs good, we're in a position to make enough money that he'll be able to go on and run in the next race.

"His dapples are back and it looks like he's 100 percent. He looks really good again. He's happy."

Mandella said that Alex Solis, who has ridden the colt in five of his six starts, will be aboard in the Arkansas Derby.

"He hasn't given up on him yet," Mandella said.