Tipsheet: Arkansas Derby div. II

The second division of the $500,000 Arkansas Derby (G1) will feature 11 sophomores going 1 1/8 miles at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. The 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series race will reward points on a 100-40-20-10 basis to the top four to cross the wire.

Top Picks for the Arkansas Derby

• #3 Storm the Court
• #10 Farmington Road
• #5 Nadal
• #4 King Guillermo

Betting the Arkansas Derby

• $20 Win 3
• $2 Exacta Box 3,4,5,10

Arkansas Derby Contenders

#1 Finnick the Fierce was elevated to first in a local allowance event in his most recent showing. Capable son of Dialed In is consistent and could be an exotics player with a good trip from the rail under Garcia.

#2 Saratogian was no match for allowance runners at big odds at Gulfstream Park prior to this stakes debut. Empire Maker colt would be a major surprise with Talamo in the silks.

#3 Storm the Court comes off a pair of even races with fine graded competition in the Golden State for Peter Eurton. Champion son of Court Vision is training well and seems poised for his best third time off the shelf. Flavien Prat coming out to ride is a major coup as well.

#4 King Guillermo put in a spectacular run in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) when drawing away from a fine field with ease. Uncle Mo colt did everything right last time out, and he rates a big chance with a similar showing on Saturday. Samy Camacho retains the ride.

#5 Nadal enters the Arkansas Derby with an unblemished mark from three starts, including a game score in the recent Rebel (G2) on the surface. $700,000 son of Blame has trained rapidly in the interim and is the one to beat under Rosario.

#6 Code Runner looks overmatched in his graded stakes bow. Asmussen trainee has improved as of late, but the class rise could prove to be too much for the Honor Code colt.

#7 Silver Prospector captured the Southwest (G3) on the oval two prior and is a win contender with his best effort. Two-time graded victor was a non-factor in the Rebel, but he is more than capable on his best day. Gray colt will stalk the pace from the outset beneath regular rider Santana.

#8 Fast Enough ships in from California for Becerra and has exotics appeal. Kentucky-bred son of Eddington was a solid third in the San Vicente (G2) most recently, and he tuned up for this start with a bullet half-mile drill. Tyler Baze will be in the stirrups.

#9 Taishan exits a solid third-place result in the Oaklawn S. for Baltas. Twirling Candy colt has looked good from two races at the meeting and doesn’t need major improvement to be a contender on Saturday. David Cohen inherits the mount.

#10 Farmington Road rallied from the back to be a fine runner-up in the Oaklawn S. last time out. Stout late runner appreciated the addition of blinkers most recently for Pletcher. Javier Castellano comes in to guide the prime win candidate.

#11 Wells Bayou was impressive in his Louisiana Derby (G2) triumph for Brad Cox. Bay son of Lookin at Lucky finished a strong second on the course in the Southwest two back, and he rates an obvious winning chance if able to overcome the widest post draw. Florent Geroux stays in the silks.