Concert Tour heads field of six to eight for Arkansas Derby

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Oaklawn Park racing secretary Pat Pope on Monday was looking for a field of six to eight horses for the Arkansas Derby, a 1 1/8-mile race that rewards its winner 100 points for the Kentucky Derby. He said the probables are Caddo River, Concert Tour, Get Her Number, Hozier, and Super Stock, while those possible include Roman Centurian and Last Samurai.

Concert Tour and Hozier finished one-two in the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel last month at Oaklawn for trainer Bob Baffert. Super Stock, who was fourth in the Rebel, worked Monday at Oaklawn, going a half-mile in 50.80 seconds for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Last Samurai was another Arkansas Derby candidate on the local tab Monday, going five-eighths in 1:03.40 for trainer Dallas Stewart. Grade 1 winner Get Her Number also worked Monday, going a half-mile in 48.40 at the San Luis Rey Downs training center for trainer Peter Miller.

The card Saturday includes the $400,000 Oaklawn Mile. Multiple Grade 2 winner By My Standards worked for the race Sunday, going a half-mile in 51.60 at Oaklawn. Trainer Bret Calhoun said Gabe Saez has the mount in the Oakawn Mile.

:: Bet horse racing on DRF Bets. Double Your First Deposit Up to $250. Join Now.

The $250,000 Carousel for fillies and mares is expected to draw Frank’s Rockette and Edgeway.

Pope said Saturday’s card will have 12 to 14 races. First post will be noon Central. The four stakes are part of the Racing Festival of the South. The series is being run over the first three Saturdays in April this meet and features a total of eight stakes worth $4.9 million.

The Grade 1, $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap is April 17, and top contender Letruska worked for the race Sunday at Oaklawn, going a half-mile in 48.80. The Apple Blossom, which also is scheduled to draw champion Monomoy Girl, will share a card with the Grade 2, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap.