The 18th Running of the G1 AR Derby
Saturday, April 1, 2023
OP Race #3 $1,250.000
3YOs 122 Lbs 11/8
KYD POINTS RACE (100-40-30-20-10)
Course Record-1:46.45 (Obvious Intention-2008)
Stakes Record-1:47.96 (Copper Beast-2016)
The KYD trail continues to heat up with a pair of 100-point preps on tap for Saturday including the 18th running of the G1 AR Derby down at OP. With its G1 status and $1,250.000 purse, the AR Derby figured to be one of the more stacked preps of the season and the 14 we have scheduled to run comprise a very solid group. Eleven runners going post ward have secured places on the KYD leaderboard, but the headliners are Wahpekute Sioux (currently 7th in points), Jacks Courage (10th), Indian Summer (24th), and More Twist (27th). Obviously, the winner will secure a birth in the KYD; however, a 2nd place finish may garner enough points to land a spot in the gate for anyone in the field as well.
With five of the seven inside post positions, Mb Stables and Arindel appear to have the inside track covered. If the rules allowed for it, Mb Stables would currently have eight in the starting gate for the KYD. Arindel already has two safe, but he’s got ammo ready for the next two weekends as well. Everyone else in the field is still looking for their first qualifier that doesn’t have any work left to do. That’s not to say that the race is between the pair of powerful stables. Terabyte, More Twist, Frenchman, and War Of Backroads (just to name a few) are all capable of besting this group. It’s that time of year when everyone gets excited over every big work and agonizes over every poor post draw. This race will give us at least one, if not three or four, KYD contestant(s) so let’s peel back the curtain and take a look at the runners for this year’s G1 AR Derby!
#1 Wahpekute Sioux (Mb Stables/P. Lopez): Impressive winner of the G2 San Felipe has a lot going his way for this one. He’s safely in position on the KYD leaderboard, he’s drawn the rail here, and the forecast says there’s no rain in the forecast. The problem for him, every race he’s got to prove to his trainer that he deserves one of his three slots in the starting gate for the big one next month.
#2 Peace Pipe (Arindel/L. Saez): This one probably wouldn’t mind if a stray shower found its way to Hot Springs, but the G2 San Vicente winner has always been held in high regard around the barn. He needs a positive result here to aid his KYD prospects; however, G1-winner is well-drawn, and has the right pilot, to put his stamp on the race.
#3 Sioux Tribe (Arindel/T. Gaffalione): The second from the Arindel barn, this gelding isn’t as accomplished as his two stablemates, but he’s working a bit better than both in the mornings. A winner in three of seven sprints, he’ll make his first start going two-turns/a route of ground here. Speed is never a bad thing and don’t expect him to hold back from this advantageous draw.
#4 Neon Town (Broken Spoke Stables/J.C. Ferrer): Finished 4th in the G2 Rebel here back in February, and the gelding returns looking to improve his KYD prospects. Hasn’t done much morning work in the public eye but have to like the nice progression he’s shown in those last three starts. Another forward move could put him right in the thick of it.
#5 The Legend Of Farley (Arindel/E. Jaramillo): The third entrant from this barn hasn’t raced as much as his two stablemates, but the results of the last three show a runner that seems to be coming up on a breakthrough performance. Colt immediately handled winners after breaking his maiden, and ran sneaky good in that 4th-placed effort at TP. Jock was aboard for both of his wins, and he has piloted the winner each of the last two years in this spot.
#6 Loko Moko (South Shore Stables/J.R. Velazquez): Gelding caught an off-track in his sophomore bow and then just didn’t fire last out at AQU. Juvenile campaign was solid as he took a couple restricted stakes and ran well in the BC. It’s getting to be make-or-break time, so he needs to show that he has made the progression from two-to-three, or he risks missing out on the spring classics.
#7 Jacks Courage (Mb Stables/L. Dettori): Speaking of making the transition from juvenile to sophomore, dual G3 winner has started ’23 on a three-race winning streak. G3 Gotham win secured him 50 KYD points, but, while he’s probably safely qualified points-wise, he needs to keep producing to get the nod on the big day. Gelding keeps running and training like a horse that’s thriving, and he’s learned to put it all together.
#8 Terabyte (Arkansas Elite/G.W. Corbett): Only a maiden-winner, colt has run two bang-up races to start his sophomore campaign. Leaves South Florida for the first time this season, but good to see he retains the jock from last two runs. Has shown that he can produce a top effort in different ways, so it may just be a matter of time before he puts it all together.
#9 More Twist (Team 7 Illusions/F. Geroux): From maiden $12.500 claimer to G3 winner in three races, gelding totes a three-race winning streak into his biggest test yet. Published works seem to suggest the trainer is very happy with where he’s at in his training, and the gelding has to come here bursting with confidence. Must break in a new pilot but have to like the fact that he knows how to get this 9-furlong trip.
#10 Frenchman (Wood Duck Stables/A. Cedillo): Gelding took the CA Cup Derby before getting left with too much to do in G2 Risen Star. Trainer has taken his time bringing him back and the public work tab suggests the horse is doing some nice things on the farm. Gets caught a little wider than he’d probably prefer, but this one has oozed with talent since winning his debut. Expect a much-improved performance in this spot.
#11 War Of Backroads (Fractious/R.M. Hernandez): Gelding was running in graded races even before he broke his maiden, so we know the barn has always thought highly of him. Still, he only has the MTH maiden-breaker to his credit as he’s developed a case of second itis with five runner-up finishes. Just missed in G3 Withers before erasing seven lengths from an eight-length deficit in G2 FOY. If he can stick a tad closer to the pace, you know he’ll be running late.
#12 Sweet Shine (Mb Stables/SCRATCH)
#13 Indian Summer (Diablo Diablo/D. Van Dyke): Colt has done the majority of his damage on the lawn, but that runner-up effort in G2 Rebel wasn’t a mirage. His dirt form is very good, he’s just been more active/successful on the grass. Nothing wrong with having a horse that runs on everything, and you can’t blame them sticking to the main track with the disparity in purses this early in the year. He doesn’t have to win to secure the necessary points, but he’s not out of this by any means.
#14 Sante Park (Alydar Stables/D.E. Centeno): Broke the maiden on his third try and then returned to be runner-up in the Mine That Bird. Gelding seems to be one that likes to settle while covered-up before being produced for run. That gets tricky from all the way out here, but you have to like the consistency he’s shown in back-to-back efforts where he’s finsing his best stride as they near the wire.
#15 Chameleon (Rock Creek/A. Aguilar): Gelding draws-in after the scratch of the #12, and he’s not without his positives. Possibly didn’t relish the off going in the G2 Rebel; however, he trades track condition for post position as he goes from the rail to the wide gate here. Gets a chance to stretch-out again after being a productive sprinter prior to his latest effort.
Final Analysis: It’s really tough to overlook the post positions for Arindel and Mb Stables, but we’ve always thought highly of Frenchman, and we’re not getting off of him now. Give us 10 with the 1, 2, 7, 11 and let’s try to cash a ticket. Good luck to everyone in the G1 AR Derby and all of your races this weekend!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
