2013 Arkansas Derby Post Position and Analysis
Contributed By Post Time PetePosted on 4/12/13 9:49 AM
Another Saturday in April, another Derby prep race. It really is the most exciting time of the year isn't it? This weekend the 2013 Arkansas Derby takes place at Oaklawn Park. Ten horses vie for a shot at enough points to make a Run for the Roses.
War Academy, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Mike Smith is the morning line favorite. His last win was an allowance race at Santa Anita so he's making a big jump in class. Baffert doesn't make decisions like this lightly and there's a reason he's the early favorite.
D. Wayne Lucas has AARP card carrying member Gary Stevens aboard his 3 year-old colt Oxbow (just kidding Gary, you know we love you). Todd A. Pletcher is running Overanalyze with jockey Rafael Bejarano. Both horses will give War Acadaemy a fight.
Kentucky Derby hopefuls Falling Sky and Den's Legacy will also compete. Falling Sky was the Sam F. Davis (G3) but finished third in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) in his last trip. Den's Legacy finished third in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) and third in the Rebel Stakes (G2). The field is rounded out by Carve, Texas Bling, Divine Ambition, Heaven's Runway and Frac Daddy.
We're betting against the early favorite in this one and picking Overanalyze to win. Oxbow, Falling Sky, and Den's Legacy will find their way into some of our exotics. Our longshot pick is Texas Bling with jockey Calvin Borel.
Here's the field and post position for the 2013 Arkansas Derby:
| No. | Horse / Sire | Trainer | Jockey | Early Line | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 |
Carve First Samurai |
Steven M. Asmussen | Ricardo Santana, Jr. | 20-1 |
| 2 |
 |
War Academy Giant's Causeway |
Bob Baffert | Mike Smith | 2-1 |
| 3 |
 |
Divine Ambition Divine Park |
Eric R. Reed | James Graham | 20-1 |
| 4 |
 |
Falling Sky Lion Heart |
John P. Terranova II | Martin Garcia | 10-1 |
| 5 |
 |
Den's Legacy Medaglia d'Oro |
Bob Baffert | Robby Albarado | 6-1 |
| 6 |
 |
Heaven's Runway Run Away And Hide |
Joseph R. Martin | Israel Ocampo | 20-1 |
| 7 |
 |
Texas Bling Too Much Bling |
Danele Durham | Calvin Borel | 20-1 |
| 8 |
 |
Frac Daddy Scat Daddy |
Kenny McPeek | Victor Lebron | 15-1 |
| 9 |
 |
Overanalyze Dixie Union |
Todd A. Pletcher | Rafael Bejarano | 4-1 |
| 10 |
 |
Oxbow Awesome Again |
D. Wayne Lukas | Gary Stevens | 5-1 |
