Arkansas Derby: Competitive group squares off for big purse, points
?q=100)
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – A final push for Kentucky Derby qualifying points has brought horses from California, Florida, and Louisiana to Oaklawn Park on Saturday for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby.
Daily Racing Form Derby Watch members Reincarnate, in from Santa Anita, Rocket Can, a regular at Gulfstream Park, Angel of Empire, who made his last start at Fair Grounds, and Red Route One, the leader of the local division, will be in the thick of the hunt for points.
The Arkansas Derby will offer them to the first five finishers on a scale of 100-40-30-20-10. The 1 1/8-mile race is the richest of the meet and is being showcased on a 13-race card that starts at 12:15 p.m. Central. There are three other stakes on the program, which is part of the Racing Festival of the South.
The Arkansas Derby field of 11 is a competitive one, and the company line Rocket Can brings into the race might give him an edge. He was second to a champion last out in Forte, when the pair met in the Fountain of Youth on March 4. Rocket Can was prominent throughout and finished 4 1/2 lengths behind the winner one start after capturing the Holy Bull in his 3-year-old debut Feb. 4.
“The Holy Bull was good,” said Bill Mott, who trains Rocket Can for Frank Fletcher. “He showed he kept moving forward from his Churchill Downs races. First out, and he kept moving forward.
“In the Fountain of Youth, the other horse beat us easily. We have no excuse. But I was pleased to see him stay on second and still finish up. He was not backing up.”
:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2023: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more
Rocket Can will be making his first start beyond 1 1/16 miles in the Arkansas Derby.
“We think we’ve got a good chance to handle the nine furlongs,” Mott said. “But you know, you like to see them do it on the racetrack. I believe his pedigree on the bottom side would suggest maybe he can handle it.”
Junior Alvarado has the mount on Rocket Can, an Into Mischief colt out of a Tapit mare, who could sit just off the pace from post 7.
Reincarnate, the wire-to-wire winner of the Sham, found himself farther off the pace than usual last out, when he closed for third in the Rebel on Feb. 25 at Oaklawn.
“Obviously, we didn’t have the cleanest of trips, especially away from the gate.” trainer Tim Yakteen said. “I think he showed another dimension. Previously, he was very game on the lead. I think he showed just how genuine and just how versatile he is coming from out of it – taking that adversity that he took with his trip most recently in Arkansas.”
Reincarnate is another picking up ground Saturday.
“I think that’s one thing going in his favor,” Yakteen said. “I truly believe the farther they go the better for him because I think he can stay beyond the Derby classic distance.”
John Velazquez has the mount in post 8.
Angel of Empire is the lone horse in the field proven at the Arkansas Derby distance by virtue of his win in the Risen Star at Fair Grounds. He is back at Oaklawn, where in January he ran second in the Smarty Jones. Flavien Prat has the mount from post 6 for trainer Brad Cox.
Red Route One has finished second to shippers in Oaklawn’s two major preps for the Arkansas Derby, the Southwest on Jan. 28 and the Rebel. He closed from 20 lengths back last out and will be adding blinkers Saturday.
“We’ll try to stay a little closer,” said trainer Steve Asmussen, who has won four runnings of the Arkansas Derby. “I’m happy with his races and wanting more. How can we get a little more?”
The Arkansas Derby represents a chance to learn more about Red Route One.
“If we keep a little closer, does he still have the run,” Asmussen said. “He’s benefited from how fast they went early.”
Red Route One will break from post 10 under Tyler Gaffalione.
“He’s definitely going the right way physically,” Asmussen said. “He’s a nice, big, tall, good-framed horse, but I think that he is filling out and maturing nicely.”
Harlocap figures to be prominent after showing speed last out when sixth in the Risen Star at Fair Grounds.
“I think that this racetrack will be more conducive to his natural style,” Asmussen said.
Two Eagles River enters off a wire-to-wire allowance win over Disarm, who returned to run second in the Louisiana Derby.
The field also includes Bourbon Bash, who was fifth in the Rebel; Kolomio, who is moving to dirt; and Airtime, Interlock Empire, and King Russell, who are coming off impressive wins at Oaklawn.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.