Omaha Beach a determined winner in Arkansas Derby

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Omaha Beach will head to the Kentucky Derby as one of the top choices after keeping Improbable at bay in the stretch to win his third straight race and first Grade 1 in the $1 million Arkansas Derby on Saturday.

Omaha Beach won by a length over Improbable, while it was another 5 3/4 lengths back to Country House in third. Laughing Fox finished another length back in fourth. The first four finishers earned Kentucky Derby points on a scale of 100-40-20-10.

The Arkansas Derby was run on a sloppy, sealed track after rains were a constant presence from morning through the close of the 12-race program. The precipitation cleared for the Arkansas Derby and the estimated crowd of 45,000 was treated to a stretch run featuring two top candidates for the Kentucky Derby.

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Omaha Beach ($5.40) won the second division of last month’s Grade 2, $750,000 Rebel at Oaklawn off a maiden special weight sprint at Santa Anita, and the strength of his form made him a slight favorite Saturday over Improbable, the winner of last year’s Grade 1 Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity.

Omaha Beach settled in fifth in the early stages of the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby, as One Flew South broke running and took the field through an opening quarter-mile in 23.08 seconds. Omaha Beach made a quick move for the front into the backstretch and took over through a half-mile in 47.50. Omaha Beach continued to lead through six furlongs in 1:12.46 as Improbable advanced on the final turn and had Omaha Beach in his sights coming into the stretch. Omaha Beach maintained his advantage to the wire as Improbable fought on, with the winner covering the distance in 1:49.91.

“Fantastic,” trainer Richard Mandella, who trains Omaha Beach, said after the race Saturday. “He just keeps improving and getting better as we go, and we couldn't ask for more at this point.”

Mike Smith, who won last week’s Santa Anita Derby on Roadster, was aboard Omaha Beach.

“I had a great trip,” Smith told track publicity at Oaklawn. “Little nerve-wracking in the gate because a few of them didn’t want to load, but he handled it all well. He got a little uptight, but then relaxed. He jumped extremely well. There were several horses that wanted the lead.

“Mr. Mandella has been teaching him in the morning to break off strong and then relax. He did just that. Picked a nice little spot and stayed right there. His cruising speed just takes him up there. I just basically tried to stay out of his way. He’s doing it so easy, I’m better off letting him than fighting him.”

Mandella said immediately after the race that travel plans with Omaha Beach are to be determined. Omaha Beach flew in earlier this week from his base at Santa Anita. There is a flight scheduled for Churchill Downs on Monday.

Improbable, who was coming off a runner-up finish in the first division of last month’s Rebel at Oaklawn, was making his second start of the year in the Arkansas Derby.

“He ran a good race and ran into a good horse,” said Elliott Walden, chief executive officer of co-owner WinStar Farm.

Walden said the intent is to advance to the Kentucky Derby with Improbable.

Improbable added blinkers for the Arkansas Derby and trainer Bob Baffert told Oaklawn publicity after the race that he feels the horse will not need the equipment.

Omaha Beach earned $600,000 for his win in the Arkansas Derby. He has now won three of seven starts and earned $1,121,800. Omaha Beach is a son of War Front who races for Fox Hill Farm. He is a half-brother to champion Take Charge Brandi.

The remaining order of finish in the Arkansas Derby was Galilean in fifth, followed by Long Range Toddy, Jersey Agenda, Tikhvin Flew, Gray Attempt, Six Shooter, and One Flew South.

The Arkansas Derby was the final points race for the Kentucky Derby. Omaha Beach sits second in Kentucky Derby points with 137.5, while Improbable is now 11th with 65 points and Country House is 17th with 50, according to the leaderboard released by Churchill Downs. Long Range Toddy has 53.5 points and ranks 13th.

Oaklawn handled $14,137,202 on its 12-race card from all sources Saturday. Of that amount, $11,798,121 was wagered by offsite patrons. Oaklawn’s meet traditionally ends with Arkansas Derby Day, but this year the track is racing through May 4 and the card here Sunday will feature the Grade 1, $750,000 Apple Blossom Handicap led by Midnight Bisou and Elate.