As the final major prep for the Kentucky Derby, the $1 million Arkansas Derby April 16 could reveal much about the Run for the Roses as the field of 12 is set for the mile and an eighth battle in Hot Springs.
Cupid is the 2/1 morning line favorite for trainer Bob Baffert after a sharp front-running win in the Grade 2 Rebel last month. The southern California shipper is unbeaten in two route races and was easily able to fend off a late challenge in the Rebel from Whitmore (9/2) who returns for the rematch. Cupid will likely head to post as Baffert's sixth straight favorite in the Arkansas Derby with the trainer posting wins with Bodemeister in 2012 and American Pharoah in 2015. The gray son of Tapit will break from post 10 with Martin Garcia aboard. Another impressive win would likely ensure that Cupid is one of the top three betting choices in the Kentucky Derby.
Whitmore ran a winning race in the Grade 2 Rebel last out, but had to settle for second when Cupid found another gear in the stretch. If any runner is able to apply more pressure to the favorite this time around, Whitmore should benefit greatly. The Ron Moquett trainee rarely throws in a bad race and will move on to the Kentucky Derby with a top four finish.
Dazzling Gem (12/1) is 2 for 2 at Oaklawn Park and is woth a look gettting back to his favorite surface following his third-place finish in the Louisiana Derby. The Brad Cox trainee was far from disgraced in his first try against stakes horses and also had to overcome a troubled trip. With racing luck and slight imnprovement, Dazzling Gem could earn a top two finish and stamp his ticket to the Kentucky Derby.
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