Renegade prevails with last-to-first rally in Arkansas Derby

Mar 28, 2026 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Renegade wins the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)

Renegade reiterated his credentials as a top-tier 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender with a blowout triumph in Saturday’s $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.

Coming off a decisive win in the Sam F. Davis S. to start 2026, Renegade started at even-money odds under five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Seven rivals lined up to oppose the son of Into Mischief, including Southwest (G3) winner Silent Tactic and Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) victor Litmus Test, but none could match strides with Renegade down the homestretch.

During the early stages of the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby, Renegade rated patiently at the back of the pack, even trailing for a time as longshot Redland Rebels set pace fractions of :23.25, :47.80, and 1:12.52. But a burst of acceleration outside of rivals carried Renegade into contention, and down the homestretch he surged clear to dominate by four lengths in 1:49.70.

A huge performance from RENEGADE in the G1 Arkansas Derby, grabbing 100 points in his final Kentucky Derby prep race! 🌹🌟@iradortiz piloted the 3YO colt for trainer Todd Pletcher!

🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/H9Zot5b7vj

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 29, 2026

“He kicked home,” said Ortiz. “The way he did it today, it was very special. I thought I could have been closer to it (the pace), but he broke and put himself right there, so I left him there. Just wherever he wants to be. I wanted to ride him with confidence, and that’s what I did.”

Silent Tactic closed from midfield to finish second, two lengths ahead of Taptastic.

“Second best. No excuses. Great race, great trip, just second best, honestly,” said Cristian Torres, the rider of Silent Tactic. “We got beat by the best horse today. Now, we’ve got five weeks for the first Saturday in May. He ran his race. There was nothing else to do. We were just second best today.”

Bricklin and Blackout Time rounded out the top five, while Redland Rebels, Litmus Test, and Exosome trailed the field. Napoleon Solo scratched to await next week’s Wood Memorial (G2).

"Hopefully we can be there for the 1 1/4-miles." 🌹@nancyuryholthus speaks with jockey @iradortiz after RENEGADE's dominant win in the Arkansas Derby! The 3YO gave trainer Todd Pletcher a record-breaking sixth win in the race. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/tFFYOJuJDP

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 29, 2026

The Arkansas Derby awarded Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis. With a total of 125 points to his credit, Renegade ranks second on the latest points leaderboard, guaranteeing him a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. He’ll seek to become the third Kentucky Derby winner conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher following Super Saver (2010) and Always Dreaming (2017).

“We were super excited about the way he ran,” said Pletcher. “It looked like he got shuffled around a little bit in the first turn and down the backside. It looked like he was traveling well. It just kind of looked like Irad (Oritz Jr.) was biding his time to start advancing. I was really impressed by the way he finished coming home the last eighth of a mile the way he did.”

Renegade also has a chance to become the fourth son of Into Mischief to win the Kentucky Derby, following Authentic (2020), Mandaloun (2021), and Sovereignty (2025).

Bred in Kentucky by Robert Low and Lawana Low, Renegade races for the partnership of Robert Low, Lawana Low, and Repole Stable. He’s compiled a record of two wins, two seconds, and one third from five starts, with earnings of $1,031,500.