Renegade was a fantasy in the Arkansas Derby and is now eyeing the Derby

In a major G1 double for the stallion Into Mischief, the colt left a very solid impression and emerges as a top contender for Churchill Downs

Renegade and his comfortable finish to catapult himself toward the Kentucky Derby / OAKLAWN PARK

HOT SPRINGS, Arkansas (Special for Turf Diario).— The road to the Kentucky Derby reached its boiling point this Saturday on the dirt and through the glory of Oaklawn Park. Before a record crowd of 73,000 people—the largest in the track's history—the heavy favorite Renegade didn't just win the Arkansas Derby (G1-1,800m, US$ 1,500,000); he directly delivered a lecture in superiority that projects him, without a doubt, as the sturdiest contender of the generation for the first Saturday in May.

The day will be etched in the books due to the genetic impact of a stallion that knows no ceiling: Into Mischief. The star sire of Spendthrift Farm completed a dream G1 double in a matter of minutes, as shortly before, his son Commandment claimed the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

Amidst this scenario of abundance, the decision by Irad Ortiz Jr. took on fundamental strategic value. The Puerto Rican rider, who had piloted both colts in their previous victories, had to choose and opted to give up the mount on Commandment to travel to Hot Springs and get aboard Renegade. The result proved him right with crushing authority.

Faithful to the manual of Todd Pletcher—who reached a record sixth victory in this test—the son of Spice Is Nice(Curlin) did not panic. He traveled last of the 8 competitors while the clock marked 47s80/100 for the half-mile. However, on the second turn, Irad Ortiz Jr. began to move and the colt responded with electric acceleration. Outside of everyone, in the middle of the track, Renegade dominated before the final 200 meters and set his sights on the wire to cross it with a 4-length advantage over Silent Tactic (Tacitus), stopping the clock in an excellent 1m49s70/100.

"He finished with everything. The way he did it was very special," an exultant Irad Ortiz Jr. confessed. "At the entrance to the stretch, I took him to the middle, hit him just once, and after that, I just dedicated myself to enjoying it. He was running so much that I knew they wouldn't catch him."

For his part, Todd Pletcher noted via telephone: "I was very impressed by the way he finished that last eighth of a mile. It looked like Irad (Ortiz Jr.) was just waiting for the moment to start."

Bred by Robert Low and Lawana Low, and acquired 50 percent by Mike Repole at Keeneland for US$ 975,000, the bay surpassed one million dollars in earnings and added the 100 points that leave him at the top of the qualifying rankings. Robert Low did not hide his excitement: "He exceeded my expectations. If he runs like that at Churchill Downs, he's going to be hard to beat."

Even in defeat, there was surrender to the evidence. Cristian Torres, pilot of the runner-up, was blunt: "We were second with no excuses. We lost to the better horse today. Now we think about 5 weeks from now, but today we were beaten by a phenomenon."

With the lineage of Into Mischief sky-high and the guidance of an Irad Ortiz Jr. who knew how to see the future, Renegade already has his bags packed for Louisville. The racing world knows it: the enemy to beat already has a name.