Arkansas Derby

Note: Date, Track and Qualifying Points are based on the Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby schedule

When:  April 10, 2021

Where:  Oaklawn Park (Hot Springs, AK)

Purse: $1,000,000

Race Distance: 1 1/8 mile

History:  Typically held just three weeks before the Kentucky Derby, the Arkansas Derby is the last of the Championship series of prep races in the run up to the first Saturday of May. With 100 qualifying points available and 50 to the runner-up, the top two places are all but generated a spot at the Derby just 21 days later.

Classified as a Grade I race and held over nine furlongs, the Arkansas Derby is the biggest race in the state. With a purse of $1,000,000 and the prestige of being the last big race in the Road to the Kentucky Derby, it has become a hot spot for horses who would go on to win the Derby, most famously American Pharoah who would win the race along with the Triple Crown in 2015.

In 2020 the race shifted from its usual spot of three weeks before the Kentucky Derby due to the Covid-19 outbreak. 

Qualifying Points:  100-50-20-10

Past Winners:

2020 - Nadal (Div 2)
2020 - Basin (Div 1)
2019 - Omaha Beach
2018 - Magnum Moon
2017 - Classic Empire
2016 - Creator
2015 - American Pharoah
2014 - Danza
2013 - Overanalyze
2012 - Bodemeister
2011 - Archarcharch
2010 - Line of David
2009 - Papa Clem
2008 - Gayego
2007 - Curlin
2006 - Lawyer Ron
2005 - Afleet Alex
2004 - Smarty Jones
2003 - Sir Cherokee
2002 - Private Emblem
2001 - Balto Star
2000 - Graeme Hall
1999 - Certain
1998 - Victory Gallop
1997 - Crypto Star
1996 - Zarb's Magic
1995 - Dazzling Falls
1994 - Concern
1993 - Rockamundo
1992 - Pine Bluff
1991 - Olympio
1990 - Silver Ending
1989 - Dansil
1988 - Proper Reality
1987 - Demons Begone
1986 - Rampage
1985 - Tank's Prospect
1984 - Althea
1983 - Sunny's Halo
1982 - Hostage
1981 - Bold Ego
1980 - Temperence Hill
1979 - Golden Act
1978 - Esops Foibles
1977 - Clev Er Tell
1976 - Elocutionist
1975 - Promised City
1974 - J.R.'s Pet
1973 - Impecunious
1972 - No Le Hace
1971 - Twist The Axe
1970 - Herbalist
1969 - Traffic Mark
1968 - Nodouble
1967 - Monitor
1966 - Better Sea
1965 - Swift Ruler
1964 - Prince Davelle
1963 - Cosmic Tip
1962 - Areopolis
1961 - Light Talk
1960 - Spring Broker*
1960 - Persian Gold*
1959 - Al Davelle
1958 - Count Deblanc
1957 - Kentucky Roman
1956 - Johns Chic
1955 - Trim Destiny
1954 - Timely Tip
1953 - Curragh King
1952 - Gushing Oil
1951 - Ruhe
1950 - Big Ike
1949 - Cacomo
1948 - Fertile Lands
1947 - Fleetridge
1946 - Bob Murphy
1945 no race held
1944 - Challenge Me
1943 - Seven Hearts
1942 - With Regards
1941 - He Rolls
1940 - Super Chief
1939 - Ariel Toy
1938 - Tiger
1937 - Eastport
1936 - Holl Image

*denotes the race was run over two divisions

Odds & Entries for the next race will appear here once available...