Arkansas Derby, Fantasy fields taking shape

Oaklawn racing secretary Pat Pope said he’s hoping for a field of nine to 12 horses for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby next Saturday. Entries for the 1 1/8-mile race will be drawn Sunday.

Arkansas Derby probables include Coal Battle and Speed King, who have won the meet’s first three preps for the Kentucky Derby, as well as Sandman and Bestfriend Rocket.

The Arkansas Derby will be showcased on a 13- or 14-race card, Pope said Friday. All of the races will be either stakes, overnight stakes, allowances, or maiden special weight races.

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The Arkansas Derby will share a card with the Grade 2, $750,000 Fantasy, which Pope said could draw between six and eight runners. The group is expected to include Honeybee winner Quietside.

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Princess Aliyah is targeting the Fantasy. She was a sharp maiden route winner last out at Oaklawn. Princess Aliyah is a daughter of Into Mischief and a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Eskimo Kisses.

“I think she earned a shot, so we’ll put her in there,” said Lukas.

Other stakes next Saturday are the Grade 3, $500,000 Oaklawn Mile and the $250,000 Matron. There also are a pair of overnight stakes, the American Pharoah and the Eclipse.

Arkansas Derby Day is part of the Racing Festival of the South, which Pope said will start next Friday with the running of the $200,000 Temperence Hill at 1 1/2 miles and the $145,000 La Patourel, an overnight stakes. Oaklawn’s festival continues Sunday with the $200,000 Hot Springs and another overnight stakes, the $145,000 Southern Hospitality.

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