Tipsheet: 2026 Arkansas Derby

A strong field of eight three-year-olds will run 1 1/8 miles on the dirt at Oaklawn Park in Saturday’s $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will reward the top five across the line with qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale. 

Arkansas Derby Picks

• #6 Renegade
• #2 Silent Tactic
• #3 Blackout Time
• #9 Litmus Test

Arkansas Derby Wagers

• $20 win #6 Renegade
• 50-cent superfecta 6 with 2,3,9 with 2,3,9 all 

Arkansas Derby Contenders

#1 REDLAND REBELS: Uncle Chuck gelding was fourth in the deep Tampa Bay Derby (G3) in his latest contest and is well drawn on the fence for Patrick Biancone. The stakes-placed gelding has speed from the rail and will be forcing the tempo from the opening bell with Keith Asmussen in the irons. 

#2 SILENT TACTIC: Talented son of young sire Tacitus has been first or second in each lifetime run to date and comes off a nose defeat in the Rebel (G2) in his latest endeavor. The $500,000 juvenile purchase boasts a big turn of foot and showed last time that he could stay in range early without being left with too much to do in the stretch, and he will be formidable with even slight improvement on Saturday. Regular rider Christian Torres will be in the irons. 

#3 BLACKOUT TIME: Kenny McPeek trainee had a fine juvenile campaign and was fourth in the Rebel in his 2026 bow. The Nyquist colt has posted a pair of solid morning drills leading up to this tilt and will move forward in his second run of the year with Brian Hernandez, Jr. in the silks. The Not This Time colt will stalk the action in the early stages of the race. 

#4 BRICKLIN: Sneaky contender was a smart allowance winner on the oval two back prior to checking in third in the Sunland Derby in his most recent performance. The $450,000 purchase could peak in his third run off the break, with Jaime Torres inheriting the mount. 

#5 TAPTASTIC: Second timer from the Asmussen shedrow put in a big late run to graduate in his first offering and moves up to Grade 1 company second time out. The well-bred son of Tapit is surely bred to handle the added ground in this spot and could be an exotics contender with expected improvement in his second career run. Erik Asmussen retains the mount.

#6 RENEGADE: Top pick was excellent in rallying from well back to win the Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa in his 2026 debut and rates a big chance with a step forward in his second try of the year. The Todd Pletcher pupil has been very good since stretching out in distance and has posted four solid morning drills leading up to his Grade 1 debut. Regular pilot Irad Ortiz, Jr. will guide the Into Mischief colt.  

#8 EXOSOME: Kelsey Danner trainee was an allowance winner in his first run with blinkers on last time and will make his second run in the graded ranks on this occasion. The Candy Ride colt ran evenly in his first stakes outing but will need a lifetime best to make noise against this field with Adam Beschizza in the irons. 

#9 LITMUS TEST: Baffert trainee was a clear third in the Rebel after leading early on and will run with blinkers off in this event. The $875,000 Nyquist colt is a Grade 2 winner with a lot of class to him, and he could enjoy a nice trip from the outside in his second run over the oval. The Kentucky-bred colt will never be far back with Francisco Arrieta inheriting the mount.