Arkansas Derby

Last updated
Arkansas Derby
Grade I race
Location Oaklawn Park Race Track
Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States
Inaugurated1936
Race typeThoroughbred
Website www.oaklawn.com
Race information
Distance1+18 miles (9 furlongs)
SurfaceDirt
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
Weight Colt/Gelding: 126 lbs (57.2 kg)
Filly: 121 lbs. (54.9 kg)
PurseUS$1,250,000 (2022)

The Arkansas Derby is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually in April at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is currently a Grade I race run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on dirt.

Contents

In 2004, to celebrate its 100th anniversary, Oaklawn Park offered a $5 million bonus to any horse that could sweep its three-year-old graded stakes, the Rebel Stakes and the Arkansas Derby, and then take the Kentucky Derby. Smarty Jones's collected the bonus. [1] The exposure from Smarty Jones subsequent run at the Triple Crown helped increase participation from the top three-year-olds in the country to the point where the American Graded Stakes Committee made the Arkansas Derby a Grade I race in 2010. [2]

Past winners of the race have gone on to win legs of horse racing's Grand Slam. Sunny's Halo won the 1983 Kentucky Derby, as did Smarty Jones in 2004 and American Pharoah in 2015. Elocutionist (1976), Tank's Prospect (1985), Pine Bluff (1992), Smarty Jones (2004), Afleet Alex (2005), Curlin (2007), and American Pharoah (2015) all won the Preakness Stakes. 1980 winner Temperence Hill, 1998's Victory Gallop, 2005's Afleet Alex, and 2015's American Pharoah all went on to capture the Belmont Stakes, as did Creator in 2016. The 1994 winner, Concern, won that year's Breeders' Cup Classic.

The most celebrated Arkansas Derby champion is American Pharoah, who became the 12th Triple Crown winner and the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. [3] [4] He is the first Arkansas Derby champion to win the Triple Crown. Like Smarty Jones, he too swept the Rebel and Arkansas Derby before winning the Kentucky Derby. The 2021 Arkansas Derby champion is Super Stock. [5] [6]

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. For his efforts, Curlin won the Eclipse Award in both 2007 and 2008 for American Horse of the Year, the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. Curlin was later admitted to thoroughbred racing's National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

The inaugural Arkansas Derby in 1936 offered a total purse of $5,000. The first winner was Holl Image, who was owned and trained by Jack Carter.

The race was run in two divisions in 1960, and again in 2020. The 2020 race was moved to May 2, 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, [7] as the Kentucky Derby had been moved to September. Both races will pay identical points towards Kentucky Derby eligibility. [8]

Records

Speed record:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by a trainer:

Most wins by an owner:

Winners of the Arkansas Derby since 1936

Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Distance
Time
Grade
2024 Muth Juan J. Hernandez Bob Baffert Zedan Racing 1+181:49.54I
2023 Angel of Empire Flavien Prat Brad H. Cox Albaugh Family Stables 1+181:49.68I
2022 Cyberknife Florent Geroux Brad H. Cox Gold Square LLC1+181:50.42I
2021Super Stock Ricardo Santana Jr. Steven M. Asmussen Erv Woolsey & Keith Asmussen1+181:50.92I
2020
(Div. 2)
Nadal Joel Rosario Bob Baffert Bolton, Hoyeau, Lipman, Mathiesen1+181:48.34I
2020
(Div. 1)
Charlatan1 Martin Garcia Bob Baffert SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Fredrick Hertrich III, John Fielding, Golconda Stables1+181:48.49I
2019 Omaha Beach Mike E. Smith Richard E. Mandella Fox Hill Farms1+181:49.91I
2018 Magnum Moon Luis Saez Todd A. Pletcher Robert Low & Lawana Low1+181:49.86I
2017 Classic Empire Julien Leparoux Mark E. Casse John C. Oxley 1+181:48.93I
2016 Creator Ricardo Santana Jr. Steven M. Asmussen WinStar Farm 1+181:50.14I
2015 American Pharoah Victor Espinoza Bob Baffert Zayat Stables 1+181:48.52I
2014 Danza Joe Bravo Todd A. Pletcher Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners 1+181:49.68I
2013 Overanalyze Rafael Bejarano Todd A. Pletcher Repole Stable 1+181:51.94I
2012 Bodemeister Mike E. Smith Bob Baffert Zayat Stables 1+181:48.71I
2011 Archarcharch Jon Court William H. Fires Robert Yagos & Loval Yagos1+181:49.34I
2010 Line of David Jon Court John W. Sadler Ike Trash & Dawn Thrash1+181:49.37I
2009 Papa Clem Rafael Bejarano Gary Stute Bo Hirsch1+181:49.00II
2008 Gayego Mike E. Smith Paulo Lobo Cubanacan Stables1+181:49.63II
2007 Curlin Robby Albarado Steven M. Asmussen Midnight Cry Stables & Stonestreet Stables 1+181:50.00II
2006 Lawyer Ron John McKee Robert E. Holthus James T. Hines Jr.1+181:51.38II
2005 Afleet Alex Jeremy Rose Tim Ritchey Cash Is King Stable1+181:48.80II
2004 Smarty Jones Stewart Elliott John Servis Roy & Patricia Chapman1+181:49.41II
2003 Sir Cherokee Terry J. Thompson Michael Tomlinson Domino Stud1+181:48.39II
2002 Private Emblem Donnie Meche Steven M. Asmussen James Cassels & Bob Zollars1+181:50.20II
2001 Balto Star Mark Guidry Todd A. Pletcher Anstu Stables1+181:49.00II
2000 Graeme Hall Robby Albarado Todd A. Pletcher Eugene Melnyk & Laura Melnyk 1+181:49.00II
1999 Certain 2 Kent Desormeaux Leo Azpurua Jr. B.& J.Williams1+181:49.20II
1998 Victory Gallop Alex Solis W. Elliott Walden Prestonwood Farm 1+181:49.80II
1997 Crypto Star Pat Day Wayne Catalano Darrell & Evelyn Yates1+181:49.20II
1996 Zarb's Magic Ronald Ardoin W. Bret Thomas Foxwood Plantation1+181:49.20II
1995 Dazzling Falls Garrett Gomez Chuck Turco Chateau Ridge Farm1+181:50.60II
1994 Concern Garrett Gomez Richard W. Small Robert E. Meyerhoff 1+181:48.00II
1993 Rockamundo Calvin Borel Oris J. Glass Jr. Gary & Mary West 1+181:48.00II
1992 Pine Bluff Jerry D. Bailey Thomas Bohannan Loblolly Stable 1+181:49.40II
1991 Olympio Ed Delahoussaye Ron McAnally V.H.W. Stables1+181:47.60II
1990 Silver Ending Gary Stevens Ron McAnally Ron McAnally & Angelo Costanzo1+181:48.00II
1989 Dansil Larry Snyder Frank L. Brothers John A. Franks 1+181:49.20II
1988 Proper Reality Jerry D. Bailey Robert E. Holthus Mrs. James A. Winn1+181:48.40I
1987 Demons Begone Pat Day Philip Hauswald Loblolly Stable 1+181:47.60I
1986 Rampage Pat Day Gary A. Thomas Nancy Reed & John Reed1+181:48.20I
1985 Tank's Prospect Gary Stevens D. Wayne Lukas Eugene V. Klein 1+181:48.40I
1984 Althea Pat Valenzuela D. Wayne Lukas Helen C. Alexander, David Aykroyd, & Helen Groves1+181:46.80I
1983 Sunny's Halo Ed Delahoussaye David C. Cross Jr. David J. Foster1+181:49.40I
1982 Hostage Jeffrey Fell Willard C. Freeman Helen Hertz Hexter 1+181:51.60I
1981 Bold Ego John Lively Jack Van Berg Double B. Ranch & Dr. Joseph Kidd1+181:50.40I
1980 Temperence Hill Darrell Haire Joseph B. Cantey Loblolly Stable 1+181:50.60II
1979 Golden Act Sandy Hawley Loren Rettele W. H. Oldknow & R. W. Phipps 1+181:50.00II
1978 Esops Foibles Chris McCarron Loren Rettele Jerry Frankel 1+181:52.20II
1977 Clev Er Tell Ray Broussard Homer C. Pardue Joseph R. Straus Sr. & Izzie Proler1+181:50.60II
1976 Elocutionist John Lively Paul T. Adwell Eugene C. Cashman 1+181:49.20II
1975 Promised City David E. Whited Larry Spraker Big I. Farm1+181:51.80II
1974 J.R.'s Pet Darrel McHargue Harold Tinker W. Cal Partee 1+181:50.60II
1973 Impecunious Jorge Velásquez George R. Handy Mrs. R. L. Feinberg1+181:49.60II
1972 No Le Hace Phil Rubbicco Homer C. Pardue Joseph W. Strauss1+181:48.80
1971Twist The Axe Garth Patterson George T. Poole Pastorale Stable1+181:49.20
1970Herbalist Jimmy Nichols Roy J. Gillem Greentree Stable 1+181:50.20
1969Traffic Mark Phil I. Grimm Ronnie Warren M/M Robert F. Roberts1+181:50.60
1968 Nodouble William McKeever J. Bert Sonnier Verna Lea Farm1+181:50.00
1967Monitor Jimmy Nichols Harry Trotsek Claiborne Farm 1+181:48.60
1966Better Sea Johnny Sellers Blaine Heap Scottdale Farm1+181:49.20
1965Swift Ruler Larry Spraker Gin L. Collins Earl Allen1+181:52.20
1964Prince Davelle Charlie Burr Douglas M. Davis Jr. George M. Holtsinger1+181:51.40
1963Cosmic Tip Robert Mundorf E. MahoneyRiver Divide Farm1+181:50.40
1962Areopolis Robert L. Baird Harold TinkerAugust Muckler1+181:49.60
1961Light Talk Robert Nono Steve Ippolito Jacnot Stable1+181:50.20
1960Spring Broker Eugene Curry Marion Van Berg Marion Van Berg 1+181:54.40
1960Persian Gold Jimmy Combest Monte D. Parke Jones-Tuckahoe Farm1+181:53.00
1959Al Davelle Ronnie Baldwin Dan HowellJ.Smith, E.Moulder & J.Oldham1+181:48.80
1958Count Deblanc Johnny Sellers Charles C. Norman C. & J. Riedinger1+181:53.80
1957Kentucky Roman John Delahoussaye Norman A. McMaster R. Lowe1+181:49.60
1956Johns Chic John L. Rotz Logan Fischer Mrs. E. Muckler1+181:51.20
1955Trim Destiny Lois C. Cook Cecil Locklear G. White1+181:49.60
1954Timely Tip Howard Craig Reid Armstrong A. L. Birch1+181:49.80
1953Curragh King John H. Adams James Wallace E. Goemans1+181:49.60
1952Gushing Oil Alfred Popara Joe Jansen Sam E. Wilson Jr1+181:49.20
1951Ruhe Job Dean Jessop Robert McGarvey Emil Denemark1+181:51.00
1950Big Ike Harold Keene Cecil Locklear C. Buckley1+181:52.00
1949Cacomo Billie Fisk A. Williams Endovina & Kontos1+181:54.60
1948Fertile Lands Paul Glidewell Marian Barton Grissom & Sherman1+181:51.00
1947FleetridgeArthur Craig Roy J. Gillem Mrs. K. Maxwell1+181:51.40
1946Bob Murphy Wendell Eads Charles Sanborn D. Ferguson1+181:51.80
1945Race Not Ran
1944 Challenge Me Anthony Skoronski Dan Cataldo Brolite Farm1+181:50.20
1943Seven Hearts John H. Adams W. Graves Sparks Brown Hotel Stable1+181:52.20
1942With Regards Johnny Longden T. D. Grimes T. D. Grimes 1+181:50.00
1941He Rolls Preston Mills Victor P. Noyes Victor P. Noyes 1+181:52.60
1940Super Chief Jack Richard Dave Womeldorff Mrs. Emil Denemark1+181:52.20
1939Ariel Toy Lee Hardy Hugh W. Jackson Hugh W. Jackson 1+181:52.40
1938Tiger Alfred Robertson Robert McGarvey Milky Way Farm Stable 1+181:50.80
1937Eastport Ray Hightshoe E. RussellMrs. V. Wyse1+181:50.80
1936Holl Image Herb Fisher Jack Carter Jack Carter1+181:53.40

1Charlatan was originally disqualified from his win due to a medication violation. [9] The disqualification was later overturned on appeal. [10]

2 In 1999, Valhol originally finished first but was relegated to last place following a Stewards' Inquiry.

See also

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References

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  2. "Arkansas Derby Among Three New Grade I Stakes". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  3. Almasy, Steve (2015-06-06). "American Pharoah becomes first Triple Crown winner in 37 years". CNN. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  4. Harris, Beth. "American Pharoah becomes the first Triple Crown winner in nearly 40 years". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  5. "Lukas and Asmussen History Goes Back Generations". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  6. Zucker, Joseph. "Arkansas Derby 2021 Results: Super Stock Surges Past Caddo River to Win Race". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  7. MacAdam, Mike (2020-03-20). "Arkansas Derby moved to May 2". The Daily Gazette. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  8. "Oaklawn announces Arkansas Derby will be moved to May 2". thv11.com. 2020-03-20. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  9. Angst, Frank; King, Byron (15 July 2020). "Baffert Suspended, Horses DQ'd After Drug Positives". The BloodHorse. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  10. Angst, Frank; King, Byron (20 April 2021). "Arkansas Regulator Restores Wins by Charlatan, Gamine". The BloodHorse. Retrieved 21 April 2021.