Derby News

Ten sophomores are set to line up for Saturday's $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby (Grade 2) at Oaklawn Park looking to punch their tickets to the Kentucky Derby. The field for the 1 1/8-mile race is led by undefeated Steve Asmussen trainee Curlin.

Curlin comes into the race having won both lifetime starts in impressive fashion. He flashed brilliance in his career debut in a Gulfstream Park maiden race when he wandered out into the middle of the track in the stretch and still dominated the field by a scintillating 12 ¾-lengths. He followed that win up with a more professional 5 ¼-length score in the Rebel (Grade 3) over seasoned stakes veterans. The Arkansas Derby is set to be just his third career start and his final prep for an expected start in the Kentucky Derby; not horse has won the Kentucky Derby with only three prior starts since Regret in 1915. What Curlin lacks in experience he more than makes up for in raw talent. Curlin has been installed as the 7-5 morning line favorite and is set to break from post two under Robby Albarado.

The most daunting rival for Curlin may be a colt he defeated last time out in the Rebel. Officer Rocket finished second in that race, 5 ¼-lengths behind the favorite. Since that race he has flaunted two very impressive workouts for trainer Bob Holthus. While he was no match for Curlin last time out, he should relish the added distance and seems to be in career form going into this race. Luis Quinonez is set to ride this 6-1 risk that will break immediately to the outside of Curlin from post three.

The obligatory Todd Pletcher representative in the race will break on the far outside. Deadly Dealer will be making his stakes debut and his first start going a distance of ground, but certainly looks like a force to reckon with in this race. He made his 3-year-old debut by walloping a first-level allowance field by seven lengths; Boogie Boggs finished second in that race and came back to finish a closing fifth in the Florida Derby behind Scat Daddy, Notional, Chelokee, and Stormello - all of which, including Boogie Boggs, are pointing for the Kentucky Derby. A potential Achilles heal for Deadly Dealer is his affinity to get the early lead, which could set up a testy pace battle with Flying First Class. Deadly Dealer is the 4-1 second-choice on the morning-line and will be ridden by John Velazquez.

Delightful Kiss comes out of the Tampa Bay Derby (Grade 3) where he finished third behind Street Sense and Any Given Saturday. He was 6 ¼-lengths behind the top pair in that race, which is fairly significant given the reputations of both horses in front of him. His running style is to come from last, which could prove to be a sharp tactic in this race as a speed duel between Deadly Dealer and Flying First Class seems more than likely. He should offer an attractive price after being pegged at 10-1 on the morning-line. Delightful Kiss is set to break from the rail under jockey Russell Baze.

The field for the Arkansas Derby also includes Going Ballistic, Flying First Class, Storm in May, Slew by Slew, For You Reppo, and first time starter Olympic Chief. The race is the 11^th on the card and is set to go off at 6:47pm EDT.

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