Archarcharch leads longshot parade in Arkansas Derby

A lot of unexpected things occurred in Saturday's $1 million

Arkansas

Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park, the least of which was the 25-1 upset turned in

by Robert and Loval Yagos' ARCHARCHARCH (Arch). The start of the race was

delayed by the antics of Dance City (City Zip), who refused to load in the gate

for several minutes while eight rivals, including 4-5 favorite The Factor (War

Front), had time to either get impatient or doze off. Once the field of 13 was

finally sent on their way, The Factor broke alertly but was easily outrun for a

lead nearly everyone presumed would be his.

J P's Gusto (Successful Appeal) burst out for the lead and had a two-length

advantage through a quarter in :22 2/5. He was followed in second by the

temperamental Dance City, while The Factor raced several lengths behind the

leader in third while racing outside. The top three positions were unchanged

when the half was reached in :46 2/5, with The Factor racing well out in the

middle of the track and Archarcharch racing unhurried in ninth.

Rounding the far turn, J P's Gusto began to run out of gas as Dance City took

aim with The Factor and Sway Away (Afleet Alex) making it four horses across the

track. J P's Gusto had his head in front after six furlongs in 1:11 1/5, but at

the quarter pole Dance City and Sway Away were moving best of the quartet with

The Factor struggling to stay in contention in between those two.

Archarcharch returned $52.40, $16.80 and $8.20 and topped exotics worth

$416.80 (exacta), $10,565.80 (trifecta) and $59,987.60 (9-2-8 superfecta). Nehro,

who had occupied the same position in the Louisiana Derby (G2) by the same

margin in late March, paid $9 and $5.60 at 9-1. Dance City outfinished Sway Away

by 1 1/2 lengths for the show and was worth $14.20 at 29-1. The order of finish was rounded out

by Alternation (Distorted Humor), J W Blue (Sky Mesa), The Factor, J P's Gusto,

Elite Alex (Afleet Alex), Saratoga Red (Eddington), Brethren (Distorted Humor),

Caleb's Posse (Posse), Truman's Commander (Friends Lake).

A debut second at Churchill Downs in November, Archarcharch graduated by 1

3/4 lengths in the Sugar Bowl S. at Fair Grounds the following month. Off that

six-furlong score, Archarcharch was the even-money favorite in the January 17

Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn, but wilted to fourth after pressing the pace. He

rebounded to take the Southwest S. (G3) by a length at 14-1, then ran an even

third behind The Factor when 6 1/2 lengths behind that one in last month's Rebel

S. (G2). The dark bay colt's record now stands at 6-3-1-1, $832,744.

Bred in Kentucky by Grapestock LLC, Archarcharch was a $60,000 Keeneland

September yearling. He was produced by the Grade 2-placed Woodman's Dancer

(Woodman), making him a half-brother to stakes winner Run Sully Run (Cherokee

Run). Woodman's Dancer has also produced a juvenile full sister to the Southwest

winner named Androeah and a yearling half-brother by Silver Train.