2011 Arkansas Derby (G1)

I was there
I cashed on this race
My Favorite
Date/Track:
4/16/2011, Oaklawn Park
Distance:
1 1/8 m (Dirt)
Age/Sex:
3 M
Time:
1:49.34

What the Nation is saying about the 2011 Arkansas Derby (G1)...

Quietly, one of the best performances on an excellent Saturday of racing took place in Oaklawn Park’s Essex Handicap. On paper the race looked like it would be Pin Oak Stable’s Alternation to lose. Although 2011 became largely a season of unfulfilled potential for the attractive son of Distorted Hum...Read More
  • Winplacsho · It's nice to see Alternation back, it seemed like he fell off the map after that subpar effort in the Jim Dandy. I agree that this horse is similar to Blame in a couple of ways: running style, under the radar by being midwest based & no triple crown starts as a 3 year old. · 112 days ago ·
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Unfortunately, I was so preoccupied with the jockey screw job that I was unable to get too excited about the Preakness. Well, it was either that or the fact that I did not fully believe my horse of choice would make an appearance in the winner’s circle. But fear not, I have bounced back to get excit...Read More
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  • zatt · Master of Hounds and Nehro, eh? Two horses definitely in with a chance ... if all the probables go, the Belmont should be a very interesting race. · 368 days ago ·
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  • champion2011 · Alternation and Shackleford are my key picks so far. · 367 days ago ·
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It happens every single year, people see a hot new closer running on late to just barely miss, and then they go hog wild over him. For this year’s Derby, that horse’s name would be Nehro.Read More
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  • ldeckergreenvalleytrainingcenter · Nehro did really well in the Kentucky Derby...so congrats to his connections! Looking forward to seeing him in The Belmont · 376 days ago ·
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  • blooy · psh nehor was a tough bastard, this was the extra room he needed, and the jockey really blew it, bad timing. you know he comes from out of the clouds not on turn, not sure what happend there. we saw it all the time down the strech near miss by nehro, then he makes the move on the turn, wait man, you fly on the strech. had they went on the strech, like animal kindom , could have been closer. but thats horse racing, guess a spoiler for the belmont? those closers all on timing, still congrats to him . · 376 days ago ·
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He may have been shut out of the Kentucky Derby, but that will not happen again to Sway Away in the Preakness ...Read More
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  • blooy · oh yeah mmm is looking tough surged up for third a little late from traffic trouble. hes the one to look out for. but animal kingdom can adjust and not fly to far out from the clouds and can be tough here. looking at the card of lots of speed closer or stalkers race. · 378 days ago ·
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  • icyhotboo · give me 13-1 odds and I'll bet you he finishes dead last · 378 days ago ·
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..Scratchedmy Uncle Mo :(
I’ve already received several emails plotting strategy for Saturday’s big race, which usually leads to rewarding payoffs with the amount of money infused into the wagering pool from gamblers and social goers alike. "With the large, competitive fields that the Kentucky Derby draws and so many individ...Read More
  • MerrilyFantus · I love Arch+3. Also, do not discount Shakleford. He was busy looking at Dialed In and then decided to pass him. Unfortunaly the wire happened firs. · 391 days ago ·
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  • beentherebetthat · ArchArchArch reminds me of a Pony Express horse , he can run all day from state to state · 391 days ago ·
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ArchArchArch Will Pedigree Overcome The Good Race/Bad Race Cycle?Read More
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  • DeadHeat · He's in my top two. Very nice looking colt that should just keep getting better. · 392 days ago ·
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  • tiznow · I like his style for the Derby. He should be midpack or a little closer. Should be able to get a jump on the closers and eat up the front runners who won't go 10f. Saw him yesterday and he wins on looks for sure. Literally the dark horse in the Derby. · 392 days ago ·
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For the past two decades, local trainers Jerry Hollendorfer and Jeff Bonde have been among the best at Golden Gate Fields, each having made a name for themselves in different ways. Hollendorfer, for his domination of the local racing scene, and Bonde, for his penchant for picking out top 2-year-olds...Read More
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  • 12thCrown · I'm a mid-south guy who claims to be neutral, but even I recognize the contributions of Jerry H. · 393 days ago ·
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  • SkiptheCountry · 12thCrown- You say you claim to be neutral, yet you also say you are typically anti-West Coast racing? · 393 days ago ·
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And then there were just four. With confirmation today that both The Factor and J P’s Gusto won’t run, only four horses that have been based on the West Coast at some point in their career are left as contenders for the 20 spots available in the starting gate at Churchill Downs for this year’s Kentu...Read More
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  • mdoche · It will be interesting to see if Rosario would ride Anthony's Cross over Brilliant Speed. Baffert and Espinoza team up with Midnight Interlude in War Emblem style. Very interesting since Espinoza doesn't really ride for Baffert anymore. · 398 days ago ·
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  • 12thCrown · I though JP's Gusto would step up in the Rebel, but his distance limitations caught up with him. It was a shame to see Pegasus injured. · 393 days ago ·
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The Chaos Theory – “You hit a pool ball, and it starts to carom off the sides of the table. In theory, that's a fairly simple system, almost a Newtonian system. Since you can know the force imparted to the ball, and the mass of the ball, and you can calculate the angles at which it will strike the w...Read More
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  • Tiz_A_Cal_ Bred · Since Tiz Blessed didnt stay healthy, Im going with Nehro and Midnight Interlude... Nehro can sit anywhere and put in the same type of run in the final 1/4th. lets hope I can still get 10-1 on him. · 394 days ago ·
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  • railbird1 · That long stretch at CD won't hurt his chances either. I think he has a decent shot considering his improving pattern and the increase in distance. Picking this years winner is going to be tough any way you look at it. The main saving grace being the price should be right on whoever you settle on. It will be a fun race to watch with the outcome so up for grabs. That being said a serious wager on this years Derby seems out of the question unless you're just a gambler. Good luck to all. · 394 days ago ·
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It’s been seven years since Smarty Jones thrilled racing fans with wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, before tasting defeat for the first time in the late stages of the Belmont Stakes. That spring, Smarty traveled down the Arkansas path on his way to Louisville, including wins in the Southwes...Read More
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  • tiznow · A very inspiring work this morning...keeps looking more and more dangerous. · 395 days ago ·
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  • mshutty · I hope others don't take notice. Would be awesome to get 10-1 on this horse in the Derby. Super Screener says "yes". He won the best prep of the year. · 395 days ago ·
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The major Kentucky Derby preps are in the history books. Learn which made my "Top 5 Best 2011 Derby Preps" list. Who are your Top 5 Derby contenders now? Read More
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  • Zennyariat · Nehro, Mucho Macho Man, and Dialed In · 405 days ago ·
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  • jason.luttgens · dialed in, Nehro and Arthur's Tale, just because · 404 days ago ·
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Kentucky Derby contender  workouts for today (Tuesday, April 12)  (with HRN Derby rankings):   Today's Derby contender works included a four furlong breeze from Florida Derby winner Dialed In. Southwest hero Archarcharch completed his Arkansas Derby preparations on Tuesday.  &nb...Read More
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  • dubby30 · He's a throw out, you can't close 1/8th in almost 14 seconds and be taken seriously. · 405 days ago ·
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  • blooy · hope there is a hot pace, becuase dialed in is going to need it. · 405 days ago ·
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Archarcharch wins a thrilling Arkansas Derby over fast closing Nehro, while favored The Factor labors home in 7th ...Read More
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  • ArturoLaguna · addendum: the highly touted horse was Elite Alex who has proven to be a disgrace to his sire? · 407 days ago ·
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  • KyOaksRunner · Archarcharch looked really good but Nehro totally stole the show for me. Two fast closing performances in a row and he really stepped up his effort this time out, he should be a great value in the Derby. I loved Alternation's run as well, should be interesting to see what he does as the year progresses. · 407 days ago ·
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Arch was brilliant and I would take NOTHING away from him. As for The Factor though, he literally gave his all in his last 3 races and I think the tank was empty on Saturday. His performace rose meteorically and just wasn't sustainable.
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  • Thoroughbred44 · I've always like Archarcharch, but I agree, The Factor should have had more to show. · 407 days ago ·
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  • iThoroughbred · the factor just tuckered out..hes run so well recently. this loose takes nothing away from him in my eyes. hes a great horse...as for arch...glad a horse such as he won....a · 407 days ago ·
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I have a feeling were in for a huge surprise!!!!!
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  • blooy · oh ya jerry i know the factor did what the other war front horse did. i had that feeling history repeat it's self. · 408 days ago ·
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  • bigbrown2332 · Haha, there you go Jerry12939, go with your gut in this game and it often pays off. cleclair1994 was the one who was wrong in the end I guess, I don't mean to be disrespectful but I don't like it when people are like that on this site, so you can express your opinion but don't tell someone they are wrong with something like that....Please and thanks · 407 days ago ·
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I'm trying to think of a favorite who won when he was supposed to win recently, and except for Dialed In winning the Fl Derby as a favorite, did I miss one somewhere? This is my first year to follow the Derby Prep trail all the way from the start of the year, and so far, not sure what I've learned except none of the so-called experts (apologies to Brian :)) even come close 90% of the time!!! Who the heck is Brilliant Speed (Blue Grass)? I'm stickin with my Derby pick because I don't see any reason not to!!! At least I have some reason to support him (I think he's cute!!!) DUH!!! It's sure been fun. I'm thinking that the light racing that these horses are doing in the lead-up are causing all the wrong guesses...I mean, what is there to judge these horses by when there are so few starts. Sure makes my dart board look better and better as a handicapping tool!!!
  • brianalanvh · picking winners isn't easy. · 408 days ago ·
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  • railbird1 · I think you got it right annmatt: Your dartboard looks like as good a tool as any this year. At least you won't have to waste your time looking at past performances that seem to mean nothing this year.I've never seen a more sorry group of pretnders in my life. I recommend a blindfold when you throw those darts, because this years derby is simply a shot in the dark !! · 407 days ago ·
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I don't like to be negative. But if you watch this video, and listen to the race call, you can't even understand what's going on.
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  • icyhotboo · should have a "like" " dislike" button.since we don't "very nice post,spot on." · 408 days ago ·
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  • arazi · Apparently, I wasn't the only one to notice. Yeah, like they say, it's best to go out on top with your "A" game. Well, his "C" game has passed him by. It's a shame, too, because he was a pretty good announcer in his day, and if he keeps this up, that's what people will remember him by. · 408 days ago ·
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I Knew it! I knew Archarcharch would win! I have followed him and had hope in him since he was a yearling! I love love LOVE him! Woohoo! I knew he was awesome from the start! OMG I am so happy!
Wow another cover colt off the favorite list, my first derby following the horses and there is no 1 horse that is stealing the show...

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