Arkansas Derby 2015: Viewing Info and Odds for Kentucky Derby Prep Race
Saturday's Arkansas Derby marks the end of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series.
The 1 1/8-mile, Grade 1 race at Oaklawn Park offers 100 points toward the Kentucky Derby standings for the first-place finisher, with 40 points to second place and 20 to third.
Bob Baffert figures to reign supreme, as he did last weekend at the Santa Anita Derby thanks to a dominant effort from Dortmund. This time around, he trots out American Pharoah, a major favorite in the eight-horse field.
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More than eight horses have something at stake Saturday, though, as the points at stake means shifting along the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, which could bump resting horses out of the 20-horse field at Churchill Downs.
Below is everything fans need to know about the event.
TV Schedule, Race Info
Date: Saturday, April 11
Location: Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Total Purse: $1 million
Post Time (ET): 7:18 p.m.
TV: HRTV
Post Positions and Odds
| 1 | The Truth or Else | 15-1 |
| 2 | Mr. Z | 10-1 |
| 3 | Bridget's Big Luvy | 20-1 |
| 4 | Madefromlucky | 6-1 |
| 5 | Bold Conquest | 20-1 |
| 6 | American Pharoah | 1-2 |
| 7 | Far Right | 9-2 |
| 8 | Win the Space | 30-1 |
Odds courtesy of The Courier-Journal.
Top Contenders to Bet
American Pharoah
Any horse ridden by Victor Espinoza is worth a bet in most cases, but even more so when it comes to American Pharoah.
American Pharoah has won three straight races, including the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes in March. With Espinoza in the saddle out of a strong post position, it's no wonder Las Vegas is all over the three-year-old colt.
While ranking American Pharoah No. 2 behind Dortmund, ESPN's Gary West elaborates on why Baffert's horse figures to be the big winner Saturday:
"What others struggle to accomplish American Pharoah does effortlessly. And so it's only natural to wonder how much more is there? Perhaps little; perhaps much. That question probably won't be answered in Saturday's Arkansas Derby, where American Pharoah is unlikely to find any rival capable of pushing him close to the summit of his abilities.
"
Anything short of a dominant victory will be a major upset at Oaklawn Park.
In all likelihood, American Pharoah cruises on the way to Churchill Downs, making for one heck of an easy bet for bettors.
Madefromlucky
Madefromlucky doesn't have the best odds per se, but the three-year-old colt figures to be in the money when the dust settles Saturday.
The Todd Pletcher-trained horse finished second behind American Pharoah at the Rebel Stakes and won two before the appearance.
Keep in mind Pletcher is dominant at this particular event. He won the event last year with Danza, making it two in a row. If the third time is also a charm, Pletcher will join Baffert in the "wow" category at Churchill Downs, as the Sports Network's Jeff Frank points out:
Those on the hunt for an upset should roll with Madefromlucky.
The second-place finish behind American Pharoah at the Rebel Stakes was notable but a tad misleading. Sloppy weather and conditions made for a torrid affair and exaggerated the distance between the two. Madefromlucky has the burst and endurance to make this a closer showdown.
Bold Conquest
Want a high-paying upset special?
Bold Conquest figures to be the safest route Saturday after finishing third behind the two horses above at the Rebel Stakes last month.
The Steven Asmussen-trained colt didn't get to run in his comfort zone at the event and still came in third place. Instead of holding back from the pack and exploding late, Bold Conquest matched the pace of others and fell behind.
As the Thoroughbred Daily News points out, Bold Conquest looks great ahead of Saturday's event:
An outside-the-money finish for Bold Conquest figures to end Kentucky Derby aspirations. In other words, expect Asmussen and co. to do nothing short of running Bold Conquest to his strengths in an effort to place well.
A dangerous late closer, Bold Conquest has the straight-line speed to make Saturday's finale quite interesting.
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