2021 Arkansas Derby Tipsheet

A compact field of six sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles at Oaklawn Park on Saturday in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1). The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top-four finishers with 170 qualifying points towards a Run for the Roses on a 100-40-20-10 structure.

Arkansas Derby Picks

• #5 Concert Tour
• #1 Super Stock
• #2 Caddo River
• #3 Hozier

Arkansas Derby Wagers

• $10 exacta: 5 with 1,2,3
• $4 superfecta part-wheel: 5 with 1,2,3 with 1,2,3 with 1,2,3

Arkansas Derby Contenders

#1 SUPER STOCK finished a useful fourth in the recent Rebel S. (G2) in his seasonal debut for Asmussen. Grade 1-placed son of Dialed In has posted a trio of good morning drills on the oval in the interim, and he is a prime top-three candidate with expected improvement second time back. Santana will ride.

#2 CADDO RIVER dominated the Smarty Jones S. by 10 1/4 lengths two back prior to an unplaced result in the Rebel. Talented Brad Cox pupil was restrained early before tiring late in his most recent performance, and he is expected to be sent straight to the front early under Geroux. The win contender will be a serious threat with his best showing.

#3 HOZIER lacks seasoning but displayed good ability when rallying for second in the Rebel in his initial stakes attempt. Baffert trainee shows a rapid half-mile bullet move in his latest morning drill, and if he runs to that breeze, the Pioneerof the Nile colt could be an upset contender from off the pace with Martin Garcia in the stirrups.

#4 GET HER NUMBER ran evenly for the most part in the Rebel and is another who is eligible to improve second off the layoff. Grade 1 victor didn’t show much early foot in his local bow most recently, but he is expected to come firing out of the gate on Saturday. Dialed In colt will have Arrieta in the controls and prompting the pace.

#5 CONCERT TOUR was all class in his facile Rebel triumph to move his mark to three-for-three for Baffert. Unbeaten Street Sense colt continues to train well and has proven to be capable of winning from on or off of the early pace, as well. The standout three-year-old looms large with Rosario on board.

#6 LAST SAMURAI has been a non-factor in two straight and would be a surprise for Dallas Stewart. The son of Malibu Moon is eligible to move forward in his second seasonal appearance, but the Kentucky-bred will need marked improvement to make the frame in this tilt.