Oaklawn runner Untrapped makes Kentucky Derby field

Arkansas-owned Untrapped, a two-time starter at Oaklawn Park, has earned a spot in the 143rd Kentucky Derby through a rival's defection.

Trainer Chad Brown announced on Saturday he has withdrawn Cloud Computing from consideration for the May 6 classic at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., pointing instead to the May 20 Preakness at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

Cloud Computing ranked No. 20 among Kentucky Derby eligibles with 40 points from his third-place finish in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial April 8 and runner-up performance in the Grade 3 Gotham March 4, both at New York's Aqueduct Racecourse. With Cloud Computing skipping the Derby, Untrapped, 21st with 34 points, becomes eligible for the Triple Crown race, which is capped at 20 starters.

Untrapped finished sixth in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby April 15 after placing third in Oaklawn's Grade 2 Rebel March 18. The Trappe Shot colt earned points from the Rebel and second-place finishes in two graded stakes at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Untrapped would be the first Kentucky Derby starter for owner Mike Langford, of Jonesboro. Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen trains both Untrapped and Derby contender Hence, the latter an Oaklawn maiden winner in January before winning the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby in March.

Hall of Famer Mike Smith rode Untrapped in the Arkansas Derby but has committed to ride Grade 2 Louisiana Derby winner Girvin in Louisville. Asmussen is also undecided on the jockey for Hence, owned by historic Calumet Farm of Lexington, Ky.

A third Asmussen trainee, Lookin At Lee, a late-running third in the Arkansas Derby, rises to No. 21 in points, needing a defection above him to make the field.

Langford said Asmussen plans to gallop Untrapped and Lookin At Lee today at Churchill Downs and then breeze the pair Monday.

"We'll see how they do and then talk it over, probably after they breeze Monday," Langford said by phone Saturday from Jonesboro. "Ideally, I'd like for both my horse and Lookin At Lee to make the field. We've got some other races, the Ohio and West Virginia derbies, that we're looking at."

As for the Kentucky Derby, which he has attended as a fan, Langford said, "I don't want to go there again unless I've got a horse running."

Arkansas Derby winner Classic Empire and Rebel winner Malagacy also are eligible for the Kentucky Derby.

Sports on 04/23/2017

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