Stevens works out Oxbow

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Louisville, KY (Sports Network) - Monday morning, Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens worked out Kentucky Derby contender Oxbow for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas at Churchill Downs.

Oxbow, runner-up in the Rebel Stakes, worked five furlongs under Stevens in 1:01 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:14 2/5 and 1:28 2/5 for seven furlongs.

"He's a happy horse," said Stevens. "Wayne wanted him to finish strong and he did it on his own. I didn't have to ask him."

Oxbow had earlier been ridden by Jon Court. Stevens took over the mount for the Arkansas Derby when the colt finished fifth. Stevens won the Kentucky Derby for Lukas with Winning Colors (1988) and Thunder Gulch (1995).

"This horse is a good fit for Gary," Lukas said. "He has a high cruising speed and he will put himself in the race. I just wanted Gary to get acquainted with him some more. When I let him go, he got right into it, but that's OK because he is so aggressive. I like the way Gary got him to relax.

"These works are like a barometer as a gauge to see where we are at. We have almost two weeks to tweak what we have to."

Oxbow on the Lecomte Stakes and finished fourth in the Risen Star at Fair Grounds. At Oaklawn Park he was second to stablemate Will Take Charge in the Rebel Stakes while being ridden by another Hall of Fame jockey, Mike Smith.