Derby Remix: Baffert's big day in Arkansas
Charlatan winning the first division of the Arkansas Derby (G1). (Photo by Coady Photography)
May 7th, 2020
"Here we go, right now, here we go
Show 'em what we mean by rock and roll"
With last Saturday's Arkansas Derby (G1) split into two divisions, trainer Bob Baffert managed a strong tag team.
In the first division, he had Charlatan, a fast horse trying stakes company for the first time. In the second, he had Nadal, who was battle tested in the Rebel (G2) and ready for another round of combat.
Of course, nothing was certain. There's the adage, "That's why they run the race!" There's a reason we remember names like Upset, Onion, and Keen Ice. But if anyone had reason to come to the track with the same brash confidence that Sammy Hagar and Kid Rock exude in their cocky combat anthem "Knockdown Dragout," it was this pair.
Charlatan drew the sometimes-difficult rail, but the way he broke belied his inexperience. He came out smoothly and settled comfortably on the lead. Coming into the far turn, as Ricardo Santana Jr. begged Basin to find his best, Martin Garcia remained confidently astride Charlatan, with no need to ask him for another gear yet. The drive through the final furlong seemed pro forma — almost superfluous. Charlatan looked in control every moment of the race and came home six lengths clear.
Two races later, Nadal stepped into the spotlight. Unlike his stablemate, he did not make the top. Wells Bayou jetted to the lead, and Joel Rosario instead settled Nadal just off the leader on the outside. Still in hand, Nadal took command in the far turn, opened up past the head of the stretch, and held King Guillermo at bay by a widening three lengths.
"Sack 'em, sack 'em, send 'em all home
Wave 'em goodbye from the top, that's all"
Further down the road to the Kentucky Derby (G1), Charlatan and Nadal will either have to throw down on the track, or one will have to yield. But for right now? They're the undefeated tag team champions of Oaklawn Park, and they can keep swaggering like contenders who have yet to meet their match.
Derby Remix is a weekly series that crosses the lines of culture and Kentucky Derby contenders.
Read more related Derby Remixes below:
Derby Remix: The Triple Crown victors
Derby Remix: The Triple Crown winners
Wells Bayou and 'Wish I Was in New Orleans'
'Remember the Name' of Nadal for the Kentucky Derby
A suprising 'King' in the Tampa Bay Derby
Coming home: Cafe Pharoah and "North"
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