Race Entries, Links to May 1-2 Graded Stakes Previews
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Photo: Coady Photography
Nadal gallops April 29 at Oaklawn Park, where he will run in the second division of the Arkansas Derby May 2
Throughout the year, the NTRA and BloodHorse will provide a guide to the best stakes races in North America and beyond. Below are race entries, race descriptions, and links to BloodHorse stakes previews.
There may be no Kentucky Oaks or Kentucky Derby this weekend, but there is still quality racing taking place. Oaklawn Park has assembled tremendous fields May 1-2, highlighted by the Fantasy Stakes (G3) and two divisions of the Arkansas Derby (G1).
With the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) moved to Sept. 4, the Fantasy could have long-term championship implications as it will award 170 points (100-40-20-10) to the top four finishers toward starting eligibility for the Oaks. Each division of the Arkansas Derby is worth $500,000 and will award the full complement of 170 points (100-40-20-10) to the top four finishers toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), which has been moved to Sept. 5.
TVG will partner with NBC Sports to bring live horse racing into the homes of fans across the country for the sixth consecutive weekend with coverage May 1-3. In addition to Oaklawn Park, TVG will also be showing racing from tracks throughout the country including Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs.
This week, the NYRA-produced "America's Day at the Races" will air on May 1, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET on FS2. The show will broadcast the entirety of Oaklawn's Saturday race card Saturday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET on FS1 and from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on FS2. On Sunday, "America's Day at the Races" will air on FS2 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET on FS2 and from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET on FS1, showing live racing from Tampa Bay Downs.
NBC will also present three hours of Kentucky Derby coverage on May 2 from 3-6 p.m. ET. The three-hour telecast features "The First Saturday In May: American Pharoah's Run to the Triple Crown," which looks back at American Pharoah 's down-to-the-wire victory in the 141st Kentucky Derby, and will also feature "The Kentucky Derby: Triple Crown Showdown," a computer-simulated version of the American classic.
Friday, May 1
6:09 p.m (times listed are adjusted to ET)—$400,000 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park on NBCSN
Horses from all parts of the country converging for Friday's ninth race at Oaklawn isn't a fantasy. It is the Fantasy Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles that drew a full field of 14, including champion British Idiom and four grade 2 winners. British Idiom earned the Eclipse Award as the country's champion 2-year-old filly after winning all three starts last year, including the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park. In her only start this year, British Idiom finished second, beaten 4 ¾ lengths, in the Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra Stakes Feb. 15 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Regular rider Javier Castellano has the return call on British Idiom from post 10.
Oaklawn Park, Friday, May 01, 2020, Race 9Entries: Fantasy S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Ice Princess (NY)
Kendrick Carmouche
121
Danny Gargan
20/1
2
2Venetian Harbor (KY)
Flavien Prat
121
Richard Baltas
2/1
3
3Swiss Skydiver (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
121
Kenneth G. McPeek
6/1
4
4Lake Avenue (KY)
John R. Velazquez
121
William I. Mott
15/1
5
5Harvey's Lil Goil (KY)
Martin Garcia
121
William I. Mott
12/1
6
6Kansas Kis (KY)
Florent Geroux
117
Raymond Handal
30/1
7
7Shedaresthedevil (KY)
Joel Rosario
121
Brad H. Cox
12/1
8
8Ring Leader (KY)
Joseph Talamo
121
McLean Robertson
30/1
9
9Lady Glamour (KY)
Julie Burke
117
Kenny P. Smith
50/1
10
10British Idiom (KY)
Javier Castellano
121
Brad H. Cox
5/2
11
11Fire Coral (KY)
Tyler Baze
117
Steven M. Asmussen
15/1
12
12New York Groove (KY)
Stewart Elliott
121
Michael J. Trombetta
20/1
13
13Lazy Daisy (KY)
David Cohen
121
Doug F. O'Neill
20/1
14
14Alta's Award (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
117
Steven M. Asmussen
12/1
Saturday, May 2
6:29 p.m. ET—$500,000 Arkansas Derby (Division 1) at Oaklawn Park on FS1 and NBCSN
Saturday's Arkansas Derby is split, but once again Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has the program favorite in both divisions in unbeaten Nadal (5-2) and unbeaten Charlatan (even money). Charlatan heads up the first division with an unbeaten record in two career starts, both coming this year at Santa Anita by a combined 16 lengths after leading at every point of call. Charlatan won his career debut sprinting by 5 3/4 lengths Feb. 16 and dominated entry-level allowance opponents by 10 1/4 lengths in his two-turn debut March 14. The son of Speightstown , a $700,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate, drew the rail for his stakes debut and has a new rider in Martin Garcia.
Oaklawn Park, Saturday, May 02, 2020, Race 11Entries: Arkansas Derby (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Charlatan (KY)
Martin Garcia
118
Bob Baffert
1/1
2
2My Friends Beer (MD)
Declan Cannon
118
Jeremiah O'Dwyer
20/1
3
3Mo Mosa (KY)
Kendrick Carmouche
118
Michael J. Maker
30/1
4
4Gouverneur Morris (KY)
John R. Velazquez
118
Todd A. Pletcher
9/2
5
5Jungle Runner (KY)
Tyler Baze
122
Steven M. Asmussen
30/1
6
6Shooters Shoot (KY)
Joseph Talamo
118
Peter Eurton
8/1
7
7Wrecking Crew (KY)
Flavien Prat
118
Peter Miller
20/1
8
8Anneau d'Or (KY)
Juan J. Hernandez
118
Blaine D. Wright
6/1
9
9Winning Impression (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
118
Dallas Stewart
15/1
10
10Crypto Cash (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
118
Kenneth G. McPeek
20/1
11
11Basin (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
122
Steven M. Asmussen
8/1
7:04 p.m.—$600,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at Oaklawn Park on FS1 and NBCSN
Grade 1-winner Improbable is seeking his first career victory at Oaklawn after three runner-up finishes—first division of the Rebel Stakes (G2) and the Arkansas Derby (G1) last year and the $150,000 Oaklawn Mile April 11 in his 4-year-old debut. Improbable has been under the care of Jimmy Barnes, Baffert's traveling assistant, for all three races. In the Oaklawn Mile, Improbable was beaten three-quarters of a length by millionaire grade 1 winner Tom's d'Etat after acting up in the starting gate and breaking from the extreme outside, post 11. He starts outside again Saturday.
Oaklawn Park, Saturday, May 02, 2020, Race 12Entries: Oaklawn H. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Chess Chief (VA)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
114
Dallas Stewart
30/1
2
2Trophy Chaser (KY)
Samy Camacho
115
Juan Carlos Avila
12/1
3
3Bravazo (KY)
Miguel Mena
115
D. Wayne Lukas
30/1
4
4Mr Freeze (KY)
Joseph Talamo
118
Dale L. Romans
6/1
5
5Identifier (KY)
Stewart Elliott
116
Oscar M. Gonzalez
20/1
6
6Warrior's Charge (FL)
Florent Geroux
118
Brad H. Cox
8/1
7
7Combatant (KY)
Joel Rosario
120
John W. Sadler
4/1
8
8Sky Promise (KY)
Orlando Mojica
114
Robertino Diodoro
20/1
9
9Tacitus (KY)
John R. Velazquez
121
William I. Mott
9/2
10
10Captivating Moon (KY)
Julien R. Leparoux
113
Chris M. Block
20/1
11
11Tax (KY)
Kendrick Carmouche
117
Danny Gargan
15/1
12
12By My Standards (KY)
Gabriel Saez
118
W. Bret Calhoun
9/2
13
13Night Ops (KY)
Javier Castellano
116
Brad H. Cox
15/1
14
14Improbable (KY)
Martin Garcia
119
Bob Baffert
8/1
7:43 p.m.—$500,000 Arkansas Derby (Division 2) at Oaklawn Park on FS1 and NBCSN
Nadal returns to Oaklawn after a front-running three-quarter length victory in the Rebel Stakes on March 14, the traditional final major local prep for the Arkansas Derby. Nadal passed his first-two turn test after being pressed through demanding fractions by No Parole and fellow Southern California shipper American Theorem to move to 3-for-3. Nadal, a son of champion Blame , drew post 5 and is scheduled to carry equal top weight of 122 pounds, including jockey Joel Rosario. Nadal broke from the rail in the Rebel, which was run over a sloppy track.
Oaklawn Park, Saturday, May 02, 2020, Race 13Entries: Arkansas Derby (G1)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Finnick the Fierce (KY)
Martin Garcia
118
Rey Hernandez
15/1
2
2Saratogian (KY)
Joseph Talamo
118
Rodolphe Brisset
50/1
3
3Storm the Court (KY)
Flavien Prat
122
Peter Eurton
6/1
4
4King Guillermo (KY)
Samy Camacho
122
Juan Carlos Avila
3/1
5
5Nadal (KY)
Joel Rosario
122
Bob Baffert
5/2
6
6Code Runner (KY)
Stewart Elliott
118
Steven M. Asmussen
50/1
7
7Silver Prospector (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
122
Steven M. Asmussen
10/1
8
8Fast Enough (KY)
Tyler Baze
122
Rafael Becerra
12/1
9
9Taishan (KY)
David Cohen
118
Richard Baltas
15/1
10
10Farmington Road (KY)
Javier Castellano
118
Todd A. Pletcher
12/1
11
11Wells Bayou (KY)
Florent Geroux
122
Brad H. Cox
7/2