Welcome to Kentucky I mean Arkansas Derby day. It's a beautiful day here in Kentucky and its looking good in Arkansas too. While I wish were were coming to live from Churchill Downs today, but Oaklawn is taking center stage instead. With more tracks opening in the coming weeks, horse racing is going to get a great infusion. In the mean time, we celebrate with those who are running and look forward to another set of horses etching their names as champs.

Race 1

7-3-4

#7 First Alternative comes in off two 3rd place finishes against tougher competition. Last time she faced foes in this field, she missed by just a nose. #3 Full of Grace won that race and is a strong contender to win here today. She is also eligible to improve with this being her third start off a layoff and she did show improvement between race one and two. #4 Miss Imperial comes in hot having won her last three starts. She will look to make it 4 straight today.

Race 2

6-3-10

#6 Scolding comes into her first start training up a storm and looking lightening quick in the mornings. She's put in some bullet works and her trainer wins 16% with first time starters and 22% with maiden special weight. #3 Brittle and Yoo comes in also looking well in the mornings before her first time out. Her trainer also wins 17% of the time with his first timers. #10 Spurwick Lane has also been very sharp in the mornings and is showing improvement within her training. Look for her to compete here at a price.

Race 3

10-2-4

#10 Call Me Derby comes into today a winner of three straight since returning from his layoff. He is in great form and will look to make it four today. #2 Captain Don ran second against tougher last time out and looks well positioned here to score. His only finish at Oaklawn worse than second was in the mud. He is very at home here. #4 Tempt Fate ran third versus tougher last time out and will look to continue his career in the money where he has never missed.

Race 4

7-8-9

#7 Major Attraction has two good starts under his belt and a step forward today will find him right in contention. #8 J Z My Man did not fair well on the turf in his first start. His breeding suggests he will like the dirt better and his jockey trainer combo is winning at an impressive 35% this meet at Oaklawn. #9 Uncle Addouma ships in from Santa Anita where his mornings have been very sharp. Look for him to come out strong in his debut.

Race 5

11-12-8

#11 Endorsed returns to allowance company after finishing a respectable fifth in a Grade 1 effort. He won in his previous start at this level and distance. He is also making his third start off a layoff and eligible to improve. #12 Pirate's Punch has gone win, third in a Grade 3 and win for his last three starts including defeating several of today's foes. He is a strong contender to win here today. #8 Two Thirty Five also comes in with a win since dropping from stakes to allowance. He ground down his opponents last time out to score the victory and will look to grind out another win today.

Race 6

14-3-5

#14 Divine Armor has improved in all four of his career starts getting closer each time before most recently losing by only a neck. Look for him to finally get that break through today. His morning works certainly suggest he is primed and ready. #3 Wild Union had hit the board in 5 straight before finishing a disappointing 5th in the slop last time out. Watch for him to rebound today and contend here. #5 Hunt the Front has finished second in three straight and a little improvement will have him graduating from the maiden ranks today.

Race 7

10-8-7

#10 Speech ran second in a Grade 2 at this distance last time out. She is one of the few in this field with the experience at a route and had good success at it. #8 Gamine broke her maiden impressively in her debut and looks to take another step forward today. Trainer wins 25% switching from sprint to route. #7 Kiss the Girl did not fair well in stakes company last time out but returns to allowance levels where she fared much better. Also her breeding suggests that she will excel at the route distance.

Race 8

6-8-10

#6 Caribbean lost by a nose and won his two other starts by a combined 20 lengths since coming to Oaklawn. He is clearly happy in Arkansas. He also is showing improving form and looks ready to take another step forward today. #8 Dukes Up also has 2 wins and a place since switching to Oaklawn. He looks to be well positioned again here today. #10 Moretti ran a solid second in his return from a layoff and is eligible to improve here today. Look for him to take another step forward and contend for the win today.

Race 9

3-1-7

#3 Fearless did not fare well in his Graded stakes debut but returns to allowance company today where he scored an impressive victory in his prior start. Look for him to be out front leading the way today as he can do on his way to victory. #1 Popular Kid has 2 wins and a place since shipping in to Oaklawn. He has shown improving speed each time out. #7 Rotation just missed in his return to the track off his layoff. Look for him to take another step forward today and contend for the victory.

Race 10

7-11-8

#7 Candy Tycoon ran well in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth before having a disappointing Florida Derby. He drops in class here today returning to allowance ranks and if he returns to form, will win this race. #11 Rushie ran second in his first attempt at allowance company after graduating. He did show good improvement over his maiden victory and is eligible to improve in his third start off a layoff. #8 Katzerelli comes in a winner of two straight and finished second in his only other straight. This horse knows how to contend and will be in the mix here again today.

Race 11

1-11-4

#1 Charlatan headlines the first flight of the Arkansas Derby. He is ready, he is sharp and he is the best horse in this field. He will win. You can do two things with heavy favorites: try to beat them with value or accept that they are going to win and surround them will value in the vertical and multi-race wagers. This is one of those times where I am going to recommend that you accept that he will win and try to add value in other spots. He is our best bet of the day. #11 Basin hasn't seen a fast track since last summer. Look for him to improve returning to a dry track. #4 Gouvernour Morris was a disappointing fourth last time out in the Florida Derby. Look for him to bounce back and hit the board here.

Race 12

4-2-6

The Oaklawn Handicap is as deep a race as I have seen in a while. A lot of great horses have gathered here for this one. We will be using many in our multi-race wagers here today. #4 Mr. Freeze is our top contender today. He has been on the board in 6 straight including 2 victories, one being a Grade 2. #2 Trophy Chaser has won his last two including a Grade 3. He is in great form and eligible to improve with this being his third start off a layoff. #6 Warrior's Charge has also won two straight including a Grade 3. He also loves Oaklawn with 3 wins and 3 thirds in 5 career starts here.

Race 13

5-4-11

#5 Nadal headlines the deeper of the two Arkansas Derbies. He is three for three lifetime including winning the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes last time out. He has all the talent to win here today. #4 King Guillermo scored an impressive upset in the Tampa Bay Derby last time out in his first start on the dirt. Its clear he was happy with the surface switch and his pressing style suits today's race. Look for him to be right there again today. #11 Wells Bayou won the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby last time out and will look to replicate those results again today. He is a very strong contender to win here.

Race 14

5-1-14

#5 Carlos Sixes headlines the nightcap at Oaklawn. In his last 5 starts he has 3 wins and 2 places by a neck and a head. He is well suited to this spot and I expect him to pickup another victory. #1 Dangerfield won last time out and has hit the board in 4 straight. He is a contender in this spot today. #14 River Echo won his last time out as well and has hit the board in 4 straight as well. He is also eligible to improve with this been his second off a layoff.

Enjoy the wonderful day and best of luck. Lots of deep and talented fields here on the card and it should be an exciting day of racing. Also check out the virtual Kentucky Derby at https://www.kentuckyderby.com/ and donate to covid-19 relief. Those you that are twinspires players can get a $20 code for playing at Oaklawn with at least a $20 donation.