Weekend Winners Club

Saturday, April 16
Oaklawn Park
Hot Springs, Arkansas
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Creator left no doubt who the best closer was in the Arkansas Derby G1, getting the fast pace he wanted and taking over in the stretch for a win that will get him in to the real Derby.
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Our pre-race analysis admittedly showed that the pace would be about 2 seconds slower at the half, not giving the closers a chance to do their best bidding.
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However, Gettysburg and Cupid hooked up in a swift speed duel up front, giving the late runners time to close. Our designated best two late closers, Creator and Suddenbreakingnews, finished 1st and 2nd.
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Creator was 11-1, Suddenbreakingnews 5-1, and Whitmore also closed well at 5-1 for 3rd place. Cupid faded and Dazzling Gem rated well off the pace to hold on for a 4th place finish.
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Had we successfully predicted the rapid pace, which is sometimes impossible, obviously Creator, Suddenbreakingnews, and Whitmore would have been at the top of the list. Cupid would still be somewhere to be found.
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The biggest ramifications of this race are huge, that the top 3 finishers earned the required amount of points to get in to the Kentucky Derby, whereas the only guaranteed entrant was Cupid.
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Dazzling Gem could even get in but it’s a long shot and would require several scratches between now and the first saturday in May. Cupid will most likely run for the roses despite the disappointment today.
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It would be nice to see all 4 of these top finishers in the Kentucky Derby, but it won’t be so. It was a great race and the strong finishers took control in the stretch. There will be other closers to deal with at Churchill.
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Video replay below
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