Kentucky Derby Prep Race: Arkansas Derby Odds
by Patricia Woo | Apr 5 2010
Super Saver, Dublin and Noble's Promise are all expected to get their final tune-up for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, April 10 in the
$1M Gr. 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. As one of the final stops on the road to the
Kentucky Derby and one of the final chances to earn enough graded stakes to clinch a berth, the Arkansas Derby is our race of the week.
With just $163,832 in graded stakes earnings, Super Saver needs a big race to secure a spot in the Kentucky Derby. A Maria's Mon colt, Super Saver showed his potential in his first graded stakes win, the
$150,000 Gr. 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs on Nov. 28, in which he fended off a pair of challengers on his way to victory. In his 2010 debut, the
$300,000 Gr. 3 Tampa Bay Derby on March 13, Super Saver set the pace before fading to third in the 1 1/16 mile race. Stretching out to 1 1/8 miles, Todd Pletcher's Super Saver will need a patient ride to claim his first grade 1 title; he is 1-0-0-1 in 2010.
D. Wayne Lukas's Dublin is one horse that needs the prep race more than the graded stakes earnings. A son of Afleet Alex, Dublin has yet to recapture the form that saw him win the Gr. 1 Hopeful Stakes as a 2-year-old back in Sept. 2009. He has come close in his two 2010 races: the Gr. 3 Southwest Stakes in February and the Gr. 2 Rebel Stakes in March netted a second- and a third-place finish, respectively, but both trips were less than perfect. An ideal trip and improved maturity are just what Dublin will need to score his first grade 1 victory as a 3-year-old and prove that he belongs in the Kentucky Derby.
Noble's Promise, a Kenneth McPeek trainee, will likely be sent off as the horse to beat in Saturday's race. After finishing runner-up to top Derby prospect Lookin at Lucky in the $300,000 Gr. 2 Rebel Stakes – as well as the $750,000 Gr. 1 CashCall Futurity in December – Noble's Promise will be paired with Robby Albarado in his final prep before the Kentucky Derby. Already a grade 1 winner – he won the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland as a 2-year-old – the son of Cuvee has enough graded stakes to guarantee a berth in the Kentucky Derby and is looking to gain some momentum on his way to the Run for the Roses. With a bullet 5-furlong workout in 1:00.80 at Oaklawn Park, Noble's Promise looks well on his way to another strong performance.
Also possible for the Arkansas Derby: New Madrid, Pulsion, Tiz the One and Uh Oh Bango.
Who do you like for the Arkansas Derby?
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