Having attracted 22 entries Sunday for next Saturday's GI Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Park has split the race for sophomores into two divisions for the first time ever. Each race will carry a $500,000 purse–the Arkansas Derby was originally scheduled to be held Apr. 11 and worth $750,000.
“Because of our national crisis, we and the entire world of sports are in uncharted waters requiring unprecedented actions,” said Oaklawn President Louis Cella. “We're trying to make the best of a very, very difficult situation. On the one hand, it is the worst of times to be racing without fans in our grandstand. On the other, we have a large number of exceptional 3-year-olds wanting to run in our Arkansas Derby. We simply did not want to see anyone lose that opportunity.”
Churchill Downs will grant full qualifying points (100-40-20-10) for both divisions towards the GI Kentucky Derby, now slated for Sept. 5.
“While we are always respectful of the time-honored traditions of the Kentucky Derby, we're in the midst of an unprecedented year,” said Churchill Downs President Kevin Flanery. “We recognize that there are numerous 3-year-olds currently in training with limited racing opportunities, and our prominent partner Oaklawn Park is in a unique and important position to immediately fill a void for horsemen. An extension of the Road to the Kentucky Derby will continue to evolve in the weeks ahead. Our Churchill Downs team is united in our commitment to holding the very best Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5, and it will certainly be one of the most memorable of our lifetimes.”
Unbeaten Bob Baffert-trained 'TDN Rising Stars' Charlatan (Speightstown) and Nadal (Blame) will headline the first and second divisions of the race, respectively. The former, who drew the rail when the races were redrawn after it was discovered that two horses in one division shared an owner, will take on the likes of GISP 'Rising Star' Gouverneur Morris (Constitution); impressive recent local allowance winner Shooters Shoot (Competitive Edge); and last year's GI Runhappy Hopeful S. hero Basin (Liam's Map).
Nadal, from post five, will square off against champion 2-year-old colt Storm the Court (Court Vision); GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby upsetter King Guillermo (Uncle Mo); GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. and GIII Southwest S. winner Silver Prospector (Declaration of War); fast-finishing recent Oaklawn S. runner-up Farmington Road (Quality Road); and GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby hero Wells Bayou (Lookin At Lucky).
Oaklawn has been racing without spectators since Mar. 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and will not allow spectators on Arkansas Derby day, which is also the track's final day of racing. The entirety of the 14-race card will be broadcast on TVG and Fox Sports 1, with part of the card including the Arkansas Derby and $600,000 GII Oaklawn H. to be shown on NBC Sports via the TVG feed.
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