The Caddo River splits off from the bigger Ouachita in south central Arkansas south of Hot Springs, about 30 miles or so. Leaving Oaklawn Racing and Casino, head south on Central Avenue, past nearby Lake Hamilton, and continue down Route 7.

On the way there, if you make a little detour, you can visit Prairie Bayou. Farther south on 7, which parallels the course of the Ouachita, you’ll wind up in Camden, not far from Cox’s Ridge, so small it’s not even marked on a map, and where the most famous resident – heck, the only resident – was Charlie Vanlandingham.

Caddo River

Hard Spun – Pangburn, by Congrats

Bred in Kentucky by Shortleaf Stable

Caddo River, who is continuing along Oaklawn Park’s Kentucky Derby prep series, comes from a family with a history of success. Both his sire and dam were hard-knocking racehorses, and there is proven two-turn ability on both those sides of the family.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - The unbeaten Concert Tour will break from post 7 in a field of eight when he makes his two-turn debut Saturday in the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

The mile and a sixteenth race that was drawn Tuesday rewards its winner with 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby and anchors a 12-race card that features five stakes. First post is an earlier than usual 12 p.m. Central.

Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby, 1 1/16 miles, Tampa Bay Downs, March 6, 2021
(50 Derby qualifying points for first, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)
Winner: Helium, by Ironicus
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Jose Ferrer
Owner: D J Stable LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 84

Churchill Downs will distribute $10 million in stakes purses during this year’s Kentucky Derby week, including $120,000 in a stakes race re-named for the Hall of Fame rider Isaac Murphy, the son of a former slave who won three of the early runnings of the Kentucky Derby.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. –Trainer Robertino Diodoro found himself at a crossroads in his early 20s. He could make the final push needed for a career in hockey after being a goalie since the age of 6 or he could turn to the other sport he grew up in, horse racing.

Diodoro at that point had dedicated most of his life to both, making the year-round commitments hockey requires of athletes one step from the pros, while working alongside his family at the tracks on the circuit in his native Alberta, Canada.

Grade 3, $301,000 Gotham Stakes, one mile, Aqueduct, March 6, 2021
(50 Derby qualifying points for first, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)
Winner: Weyburn, by Pioneerof the Nile
Trainer: Jimmy Jerkens
Jockey: Trevor McCarthy
Owner: Chiefswood Stables
Beyer Speed Figure: 95

Encouraged by the way Life Is Good dominated his latest prep with a 107 Beyer Speed Figure, bettors pounded the colt down to 2-1 favoritism in Pool 4 of the 2021 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which closed Sunday evening following a customary three-day wagering window.

Life Is Good stayed unbeaten in three career starts with an eight-length romp Saturday in the San Felipe at Santa Anita. The Bob Baffert-trained colt became a decisive Pool 4 favorite on the strength of that triumph, with Essential Quality closing as the second choice at 5-1 and Greatest Honour next at 6-1.

ARCADIA, Calif. - A day after Life Is Good recorded a commanding win in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert reflected on the colt’s ability three races into his career.

“He’s very green,” Baffert said. “What we witnessed yesterday was raw, green talent. He’s shown us that from day one.”

Life Is Good led throughout the $301,000 San Felipe Stakes, was never challenged by his six rivals, and pulled clear to win by eight lengths despite drifting out noticeably through the stretch under jockey Mike Smith.

Grade 2, $301,000 San Felipe Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Santa Anita, March 6, 2021
(50 Derby qualifying points for first, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)

Winner: Life Is Good, by Into Mischief
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith
Owner: CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 107