Litmus Test probable for Arkansas Derby

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Litmus Test, a Southern California shipper who ran third in the Rebel Stakes, could return to Oaklawn for the Arkansas Derby, according to his trainer, Bob Baffert.

Litmus Test came into the Rebel off a win in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity. He broke from the rail Sunday after the scratch of the one-horse, Bravaro. Litmus Test set the pace to the stretch under Flavien Prat.

“I had to use him,” Baffert said of breaking from the rail. “He got the lead. Really, even Prat said, he really doesn’t want to run that way, but my hand was sort of forced. He’s a big horse and we wanted to get him running so he wouldn’t get completely just jammed up on the inside there.

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“He needs a target to run at. He didn’t get tired, they just quickened on him, but those are nice horses that beat him. But he shows up every time.”

The Rebel was run at 1 1/16 miles and Baffert is looking forward to getting more ground for Litmus Test.

“He wants to go a mile and an eighth, and that’s where they start separating themselves,” Baffert said. “He’ll probably run back in the Arkansas Derby.”

The race, which will be run at 1 1/8 miles, is March 28.

Litmus Test ranks eighth in points for the Kentucky Derby with 34.

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