Baffert Seeks Sixth Arkansas Derby Victory with Cornucopian

The colt made a winning debut over 1200 meters, scoring by several lengths, and now faces Coal Battle and Sandman at Oaklawn Park

Peruvian jockey Juan P. Vargas will ride Coal Battle in the Arkansas Derby

HOT SPRINGS, Arkansas (Special for Turf Diario) – As part of the journey to the Kentucky Derby (G1), all eyes will also be on Oaklawn Park this Saturday, where a new edition of the always exciting Arkansas Derby (G1-1800m, dirt, US$1,500,000 purse) will take place.

Sharing the card with the Curlin Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park in Miami, Florida, Bob Baffert is betting on a big hope with Cornucopian, as he looks to make a glorious return to Churchill Downs, with a large field of talented colts in between.

John Velazquez will be aboard the son of Into Mischief, who was purchased as a yearling for US$1,100,000 and enters the race with the only experience of a winning debut by 5 3/4 lengths on this track, though over 1200 meters.

Baffert is aiming for his sixth Arkansas Derby win, which would make him the all-time leader in victories in the race, as he currently shares the record with Todd Pletcher. He has previously won the race with Bodemeister (Empire Maker, 2012), American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile), Charlatan (Speightstown), Nadal (Blame) – in both divisions of 2020 – and Muth (Good Magic) last year.

It is clear that the leap will be significant for the morning-line favorite, who will face a tough challenge going up against Coal Battle (Coal Front) and Sandman (Tapit), who finished 1st and 3rd, respectively, in the Rebel Stakes(G2), separated by 1 3/4 lengths, with Madaket Road (Quality Road) between them.

Coal Battle, who will be ridden by Peruvian jockey Juan Vargas, comes into the race on a four-race winning streak, which includes victories in the Jean Lafitte Stakes (L) at Delta Downs, the Remington Springboard Mile Stakes (L) at Remington Park, and the Smarty Jones Stakes (L) here at Oaklawn.

Sandman, another expensive purchase at US$1,200,000, finished second in the Southwest Stakes (G3) before running in the Rebel and is still looking for a breakthrough performance. José Ortiz will be in the saddle for this grey colt, trained by Mark Casse.

Steven Asmussen is hopeful for what Publisher, a son of triple-crowned American Pharoah, can do. Although he has yet to win, he posted a solid fourth-place finish in the Rebel Stakes.

Completing the field are Brereton’s Baytown (Upstart), First Division (Omaha Beach), Bestfriend Rocket (Curlin), Speed King (Volatile), and Monet’s Magic (Good Magic).