LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Empire Maker acted up during a light gallop Friday, although trainer Bobby Frankel played down the early Kentucky Derby favorite's behavior.

During his exercise, Empire Maker suddenly veered to his right while coming around a turn and bolted toward the outer rail, not far from where Frankel was standing.

Exercise rider Jose Cuevas continued to have trouble gaining control of the colt, and another outrider reached over and grabbed his bridle and helped settle him down.

After that, Empire Maker went around the track once again with a pony by his side, and there were no further problems.

"He pulled one of his little acts,'' Frankel said. "That's why I was laughing when I came off the track. It's just part of the drama of this whole thing.''

Frankel attributed Empire Maker's antics to the eccentric behavior that runs through his pedigree. He said a bruise in the colt's right front foot is no longer an issue.

"Forget about it. He doesn't have a bruise; he's fine,'' Frankel said. "He's going to run good, don't worry about it.''

Empire Maker is under heavy scrutiny because he's the 6-5 favorite for Saturday's race. The 15 other Derby horses haven't had their preparations interrupted like Empire Maker, who was given the day off Wednesday because of the bruise.

"I think he's playing with us right now,'' said Frankel, a Hall of Famer seeking his first Derby win at 61. "If he wasn't, it would be a boring week.''

Empire Maker jogged Thursday with a three-quarter shoe on his right front foot, although Frankel said Friday he is considering putting on a regular shoe for the Derby.

"That's going to make very little difference,'' he said.

Empire Maker is scheduled to gallop three-quarters of a mile Saturday, hours before the Derby's 6:04 p.m. EST post time. The gallop likely will provide Frankel his best indication of how the colt handles the track surface.

Despite concerns about Empire Maker, Frankel's mood has been light much of the week, although it's clear he's eager for race day.

"I'm tired of talking about him. I'd just as soon he did the talking for me,'' he said, cautioning those who might write off Empire Maker after hearing about his foot.

"Bet at your own risk against him,'' Frankel said, smiling slightly.