Vet banks on High Limit

At this point in his Hall of Fame career, it’s hard to believe Bobby Frankel is missing a Kentucky Derby win.

The 63-year-old trainer is gearing up for another try with unbeaten High Limit, the favorite in today’s $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky. The race boasts perhaps the top field of all Derby preps.

In each of his races, High Limit shot ahead and never trailed, winning three starts by a combined 22 1/2 lengths.

“It’s not his fault if he’s been outrunning other horses easily,” Frankel said.

Now is the next step for the only top Derby contender with a perfect record: A 1 1/8 -mile test against a field of seven including Tampa Bay Derby winner Sun King, San Felipe winner Consolidator, San Rafael winner Spanish Chestnut and Holy Bull winner Closing Argument.

Arkansas Derby

Sitting near the Oaklawn Park paddock, Greater Good trainer Bob Holthus had a puzzled look after scanning the entries for today’s $1 million race at Hot Springs, Ark., and seeing his horse listed as the No. 2 choice.

“I was a bit surprised,” said Holthus, whose horse has won five of his last six races, including three at 1 1/16 miles.

Afleet Alex, second in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, is the 2-1 favorite for the 1 1/8 -mile Arkansas Derby despite no wins at a mile or longer.

The only time the horses met, Greater Good won the Rebel Stakes, with Afleet Alex sixth, 12 1/2 lengths back. Afterward, it was disclosed Afleet Alex had a lung infection. Oddsmaker Russ Ramstad said he threw out the Rebel because of Afleet Alex’s illness.