Arkansas Derby Current Odds
Charlatan, trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, is the even-money favorite in Division 1, according to the current 2020 Arkansas Derby odds. Nadal, also trained by Baffert, is the 5-2 favorite in. The current Arkansas Derby champion is Magnum Moon. Prior to American Pharoah's 2015 Triple Crown, Curlin had been the most decorated Arkansas Derby Winner, after winning races that included the 2007 Preakness Stakes, the 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic, and the 2008 Dubai World Cup. The Arkansas Derby, which is a Kentucky Derby prep race, is ready to get started, and with so much interest, we actually get two races to breakdown. We had 22 horses enter into the race so they have decided to go split divisions and break them up into two Arkansas Derby races. Bob Weir is heavily invested in the Beyer Speed Figure and locked in his 2020 Arkansas Derby predictions. Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby marks the final stop on the 2019 Kentucky Derby trail, and each will need some points to ensure a spot moving ahead to the May 4 race at Churchill Downs. Going 1 1/8 miles, the trio will be joined in the field of 11 by Long Range Toddy, who already has his Derby spot secured.
For highly regarded 3-year-olds Improbable, Omaha Beach and Galilean, this is it. Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby marks the final stop on the 2019 Kentucky Derby trail, and each will need some points to ensure a spot moving ahead to the May 4 race at Churchill Downs.
Going 1 1/8 miles, the trio will be joined in the field of 11 by Long Range Toddy, who already has his Derby spot secured. For the rest, it’s win, place or, in at least one case, show to earn they own spot in the big one with points paying out on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the Top 4 finishers.
First, let’s take a look at the field and morning line odds:
1. Improbable (8-5)
2. Six Shooter (30-1)
3. Omaha Beach (2-1)
4. Tikhvin Flew (30-1)
5. Laughing Fox (20-1)
6. Gray Attempt (8-1)
7. Galilean (10-1)
8. Country House (12-1)
9. One Flew South (50-1)
10. Jersey Agenda (30-1)
11. Long Range Toddy (5-1)
Via TimeformUS’ Pace Projector, here’s how they’re expected to sit early. Note that the forecast looks like all day rain, and a sloppy track is likely.
About the points•Omaha Beach has accumulated 37.5 given his victory last time in the second division of Oaklawn’s Rebel Stakes (G2). Fourth or better should move him on. Third or better seals it.
•Country House's 30 points and Improbable’s 25 points mean they're looking for third or better. For the latter, that's a tall task given he has the rail draw.
•Galilean could get by with a runner-up, but all others in the field need a victory to guarantee qualification for the Kentucky Derby. In an especially topsy turvy prep season, 40 points for the second spot may not prove enough.
•Another situation to monitor: Anothertwistafate and Sueno, the top choices in Keeneland’s Lexington Stakes (G3), could also crack the Top 20 with a victory Saturday.
For a further look, check out Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby points leaderboard entering Saturday's final preps.
Arkansas Derby on TV
Tune into live coverage from TVG, or you can stream the Arkansas Derby through advanced deposit wagering services such as NYRABets. With post time 7:43 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network will begin its broadcast at 7.
Arkansas Derby handicapping
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Arkansas Derby Current Odds Genesis Open
Previewing the race
James Scully introduces the field via Churchill Downs’ Derby Dispatch:
Bob Baffert already has Game Winner and Roadster set for the Kentucky Derby, and Improbable can make it a formidable trio with an impressive showing in the Arkansas Derby. Listed as the morning line favorite, Improbable exits a neck second in the first division of the March 16 Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn, and the chestnut son of City Zip will receive a rider switch to Jose Ortiz.
Omaha Beach comes next on the morning line, and Mike Smith sticks with the up-and-coming colt, who made his stakes debut a winning one with a nose score over 2-year-old champion Game Winner in the second division of the Rebel. Smith also rides Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Roadster and will be forced to choose between the two if Omaha Beach runs big. Richard Mandella trains the son of War Front.
Long Range Toddy is already safely in the Kentucky Derby field with 53.5 points, winning the first division of the Rebel and Remington’s Springboard Mile in December. He’s also placed in an additional pair of qualifiers, the Southwest (G3) and Smarty Jones at Oaklawn. The well-bred son of Take Charge Indy displayed outstanding push-button acceleration last time and Jon Court retains the mount for Steve Asmussen.
Asmussen will also be represented by a trio of outsiders in Jersey Agenda, Laughing Fox and Tikhvin Flew.
Galilean will return from Southern California after a third in the first division of the Rebel and Flavien Prat accompanies the Jerry Hollendorfer pupil. Country House, who finished second in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds two back, will try to show more for Bill Mott after a well-beaten fourth in the Louisiana Derby (G2) as Joel Rosario takes over piloting duties. Gray Attempt brings high speed to the equation following a local wire-to-wire win in the six-furlong Gazebo on March 23.