KENTUCKY DERBY DAILY REPORT : Arazi Stays Out of Trouble

While Arazi completed a gallop on the other side of the track, Dr. Bizzare, a 6-year-old who was twice voted horse of the year in Ohio, collapsed on the backstretch and died of a heart attack. Arazi was not near the fallen horse.

On Tuesday, he was also clear of a horse that got loose on the track at the time of his gallop.

Ron Hirdes, who was riding Dr. Bizzare, jumped off the horse when it started to wobble and escaped injury.

“The mishap (Wednesday) bothered me more than it bothered my horse,” said Francois Boutin, who trains Arazi.

Instead of riding Al Sabin in the Kentucky Derby, Kent Desormeaux will be at Aqueduct Saturday to ride In Excess in the Carter Handicap. Corey Nakatani will ride Al Sabin. Gary Stevens, who usually rides In Excess, has Casual Lies in the Derby. . . . Sir Pinder, a Derby longshot, worked five furlongs Wednesday in 1:01. . . . Shelley Riley, the owner-trainer of Casual Lies, has been contributing a Derby-week diary for the Daily Racing Form. “He’s wonderful, he couldn’t be acting better,” Riley said of Casual Lies. “He’s a happy boy.” . . . Lil E. Tee worked a half-mile in 48 seconds. . . . Ecstatic Ride worked that distance in 47 2/5. . . . Post positions will be determined at the Derby draw today.