Muth Points to Preakness Following Arkansas Derby Win

Zedan Racing Stables' Muth  will target the Preakness Stakes (G1), the second leg of the Triple Crown, May 18 at Pimlico Race Course following his victory in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) March 30 at Oaklawn Park, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said April 2.

"My plan's always been, if he ran well there, we're just pointing him for the Preakness," Baffert said. "So, that's what the plans are."

Muth, Baffert said, was in good shape physically upon returning to his Southern California base the night of March 31, a little more than 24 hours after his two-length victory over Just Steel  in the Arkansas Derby.

Although the Arkansas Derby was a Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying race, Muth was ineligible to collect any of the 200 points slotted to its top five finishers (100-50-25-15-10, respectively) toward starting eligibility because of Baffert's suspension from Churchill Downs. The suspension stems from Medina Spirit, Baffert's 2021 Kentucky Derby winner, being disqualified for a medication violation.

So, the Arkansas Derby became a Preakness audition for Muth, who hadn't started since winning the seven-furlong $200,000 San Vicente Stakes (G2) Jan. 6 at Santa Anita Park. In addition to 12 weeks between races, Muth cleared a geographical hurdle (the Arkansas Derby was his first start outside California) and a numerical hurdle (the son of champion Good Magic   strung together consecutive victories for the first time in his six-race career).

"It was good for him," Baffert said. "First time shipping was important. He ran well. Everything went smoothly for him. He looked great in the stretch. Distance is not going to be a problem for him, so that was very encouraging. A mile and an eighth, I've always felt, really starts to separate them. It was a very tough, competitive race."

Muth received a career-high Equibase Speed Figure of 115 for his Arkansas Derby victory under regular rider Juan Hernandez. The winning time over the fast track was 1:49.54. Muth, the $2 million sale topper at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, has a 4-2-0 overall record and earnings of $1,504,100.

Muth was scheduled to run in Oaklawn's final major Arkansas Derby prep, the $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2) Feb. 24, but Baffert scrapped the trip because he wasn't satisfied with the colt's Feb. 18 workout at Santa Anita. Muth received the green light for the Arkansas Derby after outworking fellow-3-year-old and stablemate Wynstock , a grade 2 winner, March 22 at Santa Anita.

"He (Muth) wasn't ready for it," Baffert said, referring to the Rebel. "He was ready for the Arkansas Derby."

Muth represented a record-tying fifth Arkansas Derby victory for Baffert and his record-extending 20th in what is now Oaklawn's four-race Kentucky Derby points series. Baffert has also won the Rebel a record eight times, Southwest Stakes a record six times and the Smarty Jones Stakes once.

Baffert also won the Arkansas Derby in 2012 with Bodemeister, 2015 with American Pharoah  , and both divisions in 2020 with Charlatan   and Nadal .

Baffert has won the Preakness a record eight times, including last year with National Treasure .