Challenge issued on Arkansas race

By Mike Jensen INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: April 06, 2005

Keith Jones, a former Flyer and current WIP-AM Morning Show sidekick, issued a big-money horse-racing challenge on the radio yesterday.

The response was mixed.

Jones, owner of a 3 percent share of a colt named Wild Desert, who is entered in the April 16 Arkansas Derby, challenged the owners of two other local colts who may run in that race to put up $50,000 to go to the top horse of the bunch, with the money going to charity.

Afleet Alex's managing partner, Chuch Zacney of Phoenixville, said he was up for it, and tried to call in to the radio station yesterday but couldn't get through.

"I thought it was kind of a neat gesture," said Zacney, whose colt will use the Arkansas Derby as a final prep for the May 7 Kentucky Derby.

The other local colt, Rockport Harbor, owned by Rick Porter of Wilmington and trained by Smarty Jones' trainer John Servis, is questionable for the race. He is recovering from a blood clot in his neck. But the owner won't be taking part in the deal anyway.

Porter said he didn't think that was the right sort of thing to do in a $1 million Grade II race. "I think it would be fine if we were in a boxing match," Porter said. "But for horse racing, I don't think it would be appropriate."

Afleet Alex, who suffered from a lung infection while finishing last in the March 19 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park, worked out Sunday. Another workout is planned for this Sunday.

As for Rockport Harbor, if all goes well he will work out on Saturday.

Contact staff writer Mike Jensen at 215-854-4489 or mjensen@phillynews.com.

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