Arkansas Derby Features Win Willy and Old Fashioned Rematch
by Patricia Woo | Apr 6 2009
Our race of the week is the $1M Gr. 2 Arkansas Derby, which will take place on Saturday, April 11 at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. This critical prep race is a 9-furlong test for 3-year-olds and is one of the final stepping stones on the
Kentucky Derby trail. It will feature a rematch between one of the season-long Kentucky Derby favorites - Old Fashioned - and the long shot that upset him in their last race - Win Willy - as well as possible sleeper Papa Clem.
In one of the most shocking upsets of the season, 56-1 longshot Win Willy beat out favorite Old Fashioned in the $300,000 Gr. 2 Rebel Stakes at
Oaklawn Park on March 14. Seemingly out of contention 15 lengths back as the field entered the final turn, Win Willy found a higher gear and blew away the competition. Since that win, Win Willy has been training up to the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park and has a 5-furlong workout scheduled for April 8. Now, with the element of surprise no longer an advantage, Win Willy will need another great performance on Saturday to prove that his Rebel Stakes win was not just a fluke. Jockey Cliff Berry will again get the mount for trainer McLean Robertson.
Seeking to rebound after being upset in the Rebel Stakes is Old Fashioned. Trainer Larry Jones has been satisfied with the way his charge has been working since the unexpected loss, saying, "We're very pleased with the way he's coming into the [Arkansas Derby]," and has scheduled a final 5-furlong workout for April 6. Old Fashioned will have a new rider for the Arkansas Derby: Terry Thompson will take the reins from Ramon Dominguez, who was aboard for the Rebel Stakes loss. "It's a one-race commitment," said Jones, who cited Thompson's leading rider status at Oaklawn as the reason for the change. "I don't know who will ride in the Kentucky Derby."
Outclassed by top Kentucky Derby contender Friesan Fire in the Gr. 2 Louisiana Derby on March 14, Papa Clem will be looking to regroup for the Arkansas Derby. Gary Stute trains this Smart Strike colt, who has been a bridesmaid twice now in 2009: He also finished runner-up in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 7 behind another top Derby contender, Pioneerof the Nile. Will this be the race that finally solidifies Papa Clem's claim as a leading Derby prospect? Papa Clem's second-place finish in the Louisiana Derby was his first try on a dirt track, and Stute is optimistic that he will see improvement on Saturday: "So far, everything seems perfect." Rafael Bejarano will get the mount.
Others possible for the Arkansas Derby are Rebel Stakes third-place finisher Poltergeist, runner-up in the Lane's End Stakes Flying Private and Smarty Jones champion Flat Out.
2008 Horse of the Year Curlin won this race in 2007 as a 3-year-old. Who is your pick for this year's Arkansas Derby?
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