Arkansas Derby’s top three finishers all set for the Kentucky Derby as they land on Churchill Downs on 16 April
Bob Baffert’s contingent of three-year-olds is overwhelming this year, and when the two horses in the Grade 1, $1million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park were roaring down the stretch, the picture only depicted Baffert’s dominance in the division when Secret
Circle, a multiple stakes winner and Bodemeister, a late bloomer popped out of a massive field in a brief duel.
If anyone closely watched the race, Bodemesiter was even toying with his own stable mate, giving him a sniff of winning, and then motoring away to victory by a massive margin of nine and a half lengths under veteran Hall of Famer, Mike Smith.
The day ended, and the top 3 finishers of the Arkansas Derby rested in their stalls, and they deserve it because each secured a spot in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs to run on 5 May, 2012.
The Zayat Stables owned son of Empire Maker, out of mare Untouched Talent by Storm Cat, Bodemeister will share a flight to Churchill Downs with stable mate, Secret Circle, along with the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks starters Mamma Kimbo and Jemima’s Pearl, who
finished first and third in the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes, respectively.
All four are trained by Bob Baffert, and they will leave for Churchill Downs on the morning of 16 April, 2012.
The third place finisher in the Arkansas Derby was the Steven Asmussen trained 3-year-old colt, Sabercat, who finished a dull eighth in his seasonal debut in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes, will also be on the same flight to Churchill Downs.
Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Sabercat did win the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot to secure an early place in the Kentucky Derby, but a third place finish wouldn’t hurt his connections, as it actually solidifies his place in the Derby.
“I was very pleased with it; it was encouraging,” said Asmussen April 14. It was an otherwise spectacular day for the trainer and Nakatani, as they combined to win five times and secure a fourth career Oaklawn training title.
“It was the step in the right direction we were expecting and looking for--the move forward we needed," Asmussen added of Sabercat. "It looked like a very good experience for him. We needed to see improvement and at this time of year, that’s the important
thing in each start.”
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