Renegade, Silent Tactic square off in Arkansas Derby

By the time the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) is run early Saturday evening, trainer Todd Pletcher might be in line to sweep this week's two major domestic Kentucky Derby (G1) preps. While Nearly is staying home to contest the Florida Derby (G1), Renegade will be the barn's entry in Oaklawn Park's signature event.

The 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby attracted a field of nine. However, Napoleon Solo is expected to scratch in favor of next week's Wood Memorial (G2), while Redland Rebels is cross-entered in the Florida Derby.

Renegade, though, will be a deserving favorite to give Pletcher a record sixth Arkansas Derby success. Aside from an uncompetitive debut, the son of Into Mischief has been rock solid since. Demoted from a maiden win after interfering with Paladin, he next finished two lengths second to that rival in the Remsen (G2).

Renegade earned a belated first win in the Feb. 7 Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs, decisively scoring by 3 3/4 lengths. The form was subsequently flattered by The Puma, who rebounded from his Davis third to win the Tampa Bay Derby (G3).

Silent Tactic is arguably the best of the Oaklawn-based colts. Second to stablemate Strategic Risk in the Smarty Jones S. in early January, he then exploited a more favorable pace setup in the Southwest (G3). Last out, he appeared poised to overtake the Pletcher-trained Class President in the Rebel (G2) before being repelled by a nose.

Blackout Time was only fourth in the Rebel, a race he likely needed in what was his first outing since a runner-up effort to champion Ted Noffey in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) on Oct. 4. Litmus Test finished one position better in the Rebel as the 3-2 favorite, but his stamina was found wanting after setting a brisk pace.

A test like the Arkansas Derby might be coming up a bit too quickly for Taptastic, a debut winner over a mile on March 8. However, two of trainer Steve Asmussen's four prior Arkansas Derby winners went on to win classics (Curlin in 2007, Creator in 2016).

The Arkansas Derby will award Kentucky Derby qualifying points of 100-50-25-15-10 to the respective top five finishers.

The best of the undercard stakes is the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3), which has attracted a pair of speedy Grade 1 veterans.

Full Serrano, who captured the 2024 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), exits a third-place finish to recent Essex H. (G3) hero Skippylongstocking in the Pegasus World Cup (G1). East Avenue, meanwhile, returns to the track for the first time since a dull effort in the West Virginia Derby (G3) last summer.

Nu What's New, second to Magnitude in the Razorback H. (G3), also possesses early foot. The pace dynamics of the Oaklawn Mile, therefore, might help last year's Rebel and Smarty Jones winner Coal Battle. However, the distance and short stretch might not be enough to help Pimlico Special (G3) winner Awesome Aaron.