Loading ...Apr 22 2020
Huge Arkansas Derby Field Looms for 1st Saturday in May
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April 22, 2020. Hot Springs, Arkansas. The first Saturday in May has a big race coming up as usual, but in a more unusual location. The $750k Grade 1 Arkansas Derby is set to be held on May 2 on Oaklawn for some of the nation’s top 3yo horses who would normally be running at Churchill Downs that day.
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A very large and talented field is lining up to Run for the Apple Blossoms, but it has yet to be determined if the race will be split to run in two divisions. About a dozen horses have connections that are strongly interested and another 8 or so are on the fence for the time being, most depending on whether the field will be split. Perhaps they can add an auxiliary gate and just run 20 at once.
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The list of horses that are possible for this year’s edition is long but distinguished.
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| Horse | Sire | Trainer | Last Race |
| Silver Prospector | Declaration of War | Asmussen | 6th, 2020 Rebel Stakes (G2) |
| Pneumatic | Uncle Mo | Asmussen | 1st, OP AlwOC (4/11/2020-R6) |
| Excession | Union Rags | Asmussen | 2nd, 2020 Rebel Stakes (G2) |
| King Guillermo | Uncle Mo | Avila J | 1st, 2020 Tampa Bay Derby (G2) |
| Nadal | Blame | Baffert | 1st, 2020 Rebel Stakes (G2) |
| Authentic | Into Mischief | Baffert | 1st, 2020 San Felipe (G2) |
| Charlatan | Speightstown | Baffert | 1st, SA AlwOC (3/14/2020-R6) |
| Azul Coast | Super Saver | Baffert | 1st, 2020 El Camino Real Derby |
| Taishan | Twirling Candy | Baltas R | 3rd, 2020 Oaklawn Stakes (LS) |
| Wells Bayou | Lookin At Lucky | Cox Brad | 1st, 2020 Louisiana Derby (G2) |
| Soros | Commissioner | Delgado G | 5th, GP AlwOC (3/27/2020-R9) |
| Shooters Shoot | Competitive Edge | Eurton P | 1st, OP AlwOC (4/11/2020-R4) |
| Storm The Court | Court Vision | Eurton P | 3rd, 2020 San Felipe Stakes (G2) |
| Gouverneur Morris | Constitution | Pletcher | 4th, 2020 Florida Derby (G1) |
| Farmington Road | Quality Road | Pletcher | 2nd, 2020 Oaklawn Stakes (LS) |
| Attachment Rate | Hard Spun | Romans | 3rd, 2020 Gotham (G3) |
| Blackberry Wine | Oxbow | Sharp J | 2nd, OP AlwOC (4/11/2020-R4) |
| Anneau d’Or | Medaglia d’Oro | Wright B | 9th, 2020 Risen Star (G2) |
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Obviously Baffert will not likely run 4 horses in a field of 12-14, but if it splits into two divisions, it’s probable that he would try to run a pair of them in each. That of course will hinge on getting permission from Steve Asmussen who owns Oaklawn (humor). Asmussen will likely run at least 2, and 3 if they split.
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Tiz the Law will not be part of the field, which is not a big surprise since he is the current Kentucky Derby points leader and has his Derby ticket stamped in permanent ink. Plus his owner said, “We’ll stay here on the East Coast and see what happens,” Knowlton said. “I don’t want to face Bob Baffert until I have to.” Gulfstream is still racing and may add some 3yo stakes races if they want.
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Churchill Downs will probably add more qualifying points races for the Kentucky Derby since there aren’t any currently scheduled after the Arkansas Derby. Candidates could include the Preakness and Belmont if they remain on the schedule, and even Saratoga races like the Jim Dandy and Travers.
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Of course, if certain tracks reopen this summer, any number of the 5 big preps that were canceled could be rescheduled. So we could still see the UAE Derby, Wood Memorial, Bluegrass Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby, all worth 100 points, and even the Sunland Derby worth 50 points and a Derby ticket.
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The full list of Kentucky prep races with results is right here. The list includes a link to the results chart except for those that have been indefinitely postponed or canceled. We also included recent Oaklawn preps that have no points associated, but nonetheless were used as preps for the Arkansas Derby.
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Kentucky Derby Central has all the links you need on one page.
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