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American Pharoah cemented his status as the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, with a commanding eight-length win in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.
Divining Rod got a patient ride from Julien Leparoux before surging to victory Saturday in the 34th running of the Grade 3, $250,000 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, possibly earning enough points to make the field for the Kentucky Derby – although that appears moot.
Trainer Todd Pletcher sent out three of his potential Kentucky Derby starters to work at Palm Beach Downs on Saturday, including Florida Derby winner Materiality, who looked razor-sharp breezing a half-mile in company with Louisiana Derby runner-up Stanford.
Ocho Ocho Ocho, third in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 4, will have his next start at Churchill Downs on May 2.
Few people are going to be watching the results of the Arkansas Derby more closely than Nick Zito.
The influence D. Wayne Lukas has had on the game could be underscored next month, with as many as four of his former assistants positioned to have starters in the Kentucky Derby. And Lukas could have one, too.
The abundance of speed, as well as the Kentucky Derby’s history of typically unfolding with a fast pace, therefore begs the question, which horses might capitalize from all this speed? My short list of horses not overly keen early and capable of successfully winning from the second tier of runners, came down to three contenders.
Prospect Park, who finished a dull fourth in the Santa Anita Derby last Saturday, is off the Kentucky Derby trail after being found to have a high white blood cell count, trainer Cliff Sise Jr. said on Thursday.
American Pharoah swept into Oaklawn Park last month and seized the Rebel Stakes on the front end despite stumbling at the start. This time around, there could be an uprising.
After all the preps, we are down to one race and one horse. After the Arkansas Derby, even if American Pharoah wins by daylight, we are still going to have to ask ourselves if this brilliant colt can really win the Derby despite missing two months of critical training time. Perhaps, he will be the exception to most of the rules.
