We the People takes big step up to Arkansas Derby

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The unbeaten We the People is set to make his stakes debut in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby, said Elliott Walden, president and racing manager for co-owner WinStar Farm.

The 1 1/8 miles race has a new earlier date of April 2. It offers its first four finishers Kentucky Derby points on a scale of 100-40-20-10.

“We plan on running We the People in the Arkansas Derby,” Walden said Tuesday. “He has done very well at Oaklawn, and the Arkansas Derby has traditionally been a very good prep for the Kentucky Derby. Moving it back two weeks makes it all the more attractive.”

We the People, who is trained by Rodolphe Brisset, has made both of his starts at Oaklawn. He won his debut in a maiden special weight at a mile Feb. 12, by 5 3/4 lengths. We the People earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 83.

We the People trumped himself March 12, when he earned an 89 Beyer for an allowance over 1 1/16 miles. He won by five lengths under regular rider Florent Geroux and covered the distance on a “good” track in 1:43.66.

“I liked his last race, and feel it was a nice progression from his first race,” Walden said. “Before his first race, the racetrack was closed for training a fair amount” – due to weather – “and he won that on talent. He came back with a better race, and I love the way he is developing.”

Walden said the son of Constitution, who also races for CMNWLTH and Siena Farm, has some notable attributes.

“We the People has shown a very high cruising speed in all his workload and his first two races,” he said. “That is a very good tactic because he can make horses work hard around him and still have a good closing kick. Obviously, his next race is going to test him a little bit more, but we are very excited about his future.”

We the People is out of the Tiznow mare Letchworth, while his third dam produced an Arkansas Derby winner in Graeme Hall.