Spot Plays for 2026 Arkansas Derby Day at Oaklawn Park

The second of two massive cards in the U.S. on Saturday, Arkansas Derby Day at Oaklawn Park, seemingly offers a number of terrific betting opportunities. Given the Arkansas Derby (G1) itself looks like it will go the way of shorter-priced contenders, I'll be searching for more value on the undercard.

Race 7: Allowance, 3:50 p.m. ET

#4 Hola Joey (6-1) is pretty fast but certainly not fast enough to outrun the likes of graded quality sprinters like Tejano Twist and Booth on his March 1 reappearance from a long layoff.

This spot is much better. Ostensibly a second-level allowance, it also allows horses like Hola Joey, who have already passed this condition at other tracks but for smaller prize money. After passing his first allowance condition here last winter, Hola Joey summered at Prairie Meadows, where he won a small stakes and three allowances.

Guessing Hola Joey will strip fitter for this race, and I like the fact that he'll break outside the other apparent speed.

Race 10: Allowance, 5:42 p.m. ET

#6 Viking (4-1) hasn't produced the speed figures that some others in this field have, but might loom large as the tactical choice. He simply looks to have more early foot than the opposition, and thus is a threat to take these all the way.

Although run down over a slightly shorter mile last time, Viking might prove more difficult to catch here if he gets away with less pressure.

Race 11: Oaklawn Mile (G3), 6:22 p.m. ET

Although less accomplished than the primary luminaries here, #2 Neoequos (12-1) has run solidly against the likes of Rated by Merit and Sovereignty in the past. But his biggest asset is trainer Saffie Joseph, who has been sending live horses here from his South Florida base all meet.

Neoequos turned in a mild surprise to beat Florida-bred stakes rivals on the grass in January, but dirt is really his game. Looks to be entering fresh and fit, and fans of both the barn and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will enjoy rare value on the tote.

Race 12: Maiden, 7:02 p.m. ET

Not sure how many fans of the Beatles' "White Album" will latch on to #10 Rocky Raccoon (20-1), but hopefully the colt can outdo one of the lesser tracks on that legendary double-disc set.

The Audible colt turned in a fair performance on debut when tiring late after making a brief lead, but then showed absolutely nothing after getting off to a troubled start in his follow-up earlier this month. I'm going to draw a line through that race and hope for an improved performance off that initial Dec. 27 run for trainer Jim DiVito.