The loss of our local racing has swung the focus squarely on the overseas racing offering and the Oaklawn Park kicks off at 19h00 this evening with an unprecedented split Gr1 Arkansas Derby being run over two legs – on the same card.
Neil Morrice writes on Hollywoodbets that Oaklawn officials have wisely expanded the highlight of its season in order to let as many horses as possible gain points for the Kentucky Derby, postponed until September 5th 2020, owing to the Corona 19 epidemic.
Both races carry the full 170 points for the Kentucky Derby and the first four home will earn points sliding down from 100 to 40, 20 and 10.
Three horses have won both the Arkansas Derby and Kentucky Derby, including American Pharoah, winner of the 2015 Triple Crown. Smarty Jones (2004) and Sunny’s Halo (1983).
Watch American Pharoah winning the Arkansas Derby in 2015
Speed on the rail is always dangerous and Charlatan, the lone speedster in the first leg, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Garcia Martin, is the favourite.
The son of Speightstown is the only front-runner in the field and the only horse with the class of speed. If he strips fit he looks a massive runner.
The second leg field is the opposite of the first. There are five pacy types in this race, including Nadal, the early favourite, Storm the Court, Wells Bayou, King Guillermo and Taishan will also be vying for the lead early.
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