Oaklawn Park: Strong move for Strong Mandate

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Strong Mandate put in his major work for the Arkansas Derby on Tuesday morning, when he went five furlongs in 1:00.80 under regular exercise rider Alberto Rodriguez. He drilled in the second set after the renovation break, with Oaklawn head clocker Hamilton catching the horse through an opening eighth of a mile in 11.80 seconds, a first quarter in 23.40, and three furlongs in 35.80.

Strong Mandate was joined in the stretch by a stablemate, and the pair worked on to the wire while finishing on even terms.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Strong Mandate won the Grade 1 Hopeful last year at Saratoga. He will enter the Arkansas Derby on April 12 off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 2, $600,000 Rebel at Oaklawn on March 15. Strong Mandate opened his 3-year-old season with a runner-up finish to Tapiture in the Grade 3, $300,000 Southwest, also at Oaklawn. He races for Bob Baker and William Mack.