McPeek considers Arkansas Derby for pair of recent winners

Add a pair of recent Oaklawn winners for trainer Kenny McPeek to the list of early probables for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby on April 1.

McPeek said unbeaten Mendelssohns March and Interlock Empire will “probably” run next in the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby, which is Oaklawn’s fourth and final Kentucky Derby points race.

Mendelssohns March, who is 2-for-2, overcame traffic to clear his first allowance condition at 1 1/16 miles in his March 9 local and dirt debut. Interlock Empire, at odds of 17-1, broke his maiden by five lengths at one mile March 11 at Oaklawn.

“Mendelssohns March has been ultra-impressive in the morning and in the afternoon,” McPeek said. “Interlock Empire’s race the other day was a pleasant step forward for him. He was shot out of a cannon the last part there and I like that (jockey) David Cabrera was able to get him to relax and finish like he did. It’s a little ambitious, but it seems to me the Arkansas Derby’s pretty well wide open at this point. You only get so many shots. I think there’s 1.25 million reasons to try.”

The Arkansas Derby will offer 100-40-30-20-1- points to the top five finishers toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby.

Post positions for the Arkansas Derby will be drawn March 27.

2023 Arkansas Derby G1

	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	HRN
		Reincarnate Good Magic	6.59	Tim Yakteen	3rd, 2023 Rebel Stakes G2	Probable
Last Race		3rd, 2023 Rebel Stakes G2
		Rocket Can Into Mischief	6.20	William I. Mott	2nd, 2023 Fountain of Youth G2	Probable
Last Race		2nd, 2023 Fountain of Youth G2
		Red Route One Gun Runner	5.86	Steven M. Asmussen	2nd, 2023 Rebel Stakes G2	Probable
Last Race		2nd, 2023 Rebel Stakes G2
		Angel Of Empire Classic Empire	5.17	Brad H. Cox	1st, 2023 Risen Star G2	Probable
Last Race		1st, 2023 Risen Star G2
		Two Eagles River Cloud Computing	5.12	Chris A. Hartman	1st, OP AlwOC (2/19/23-R8)	Probable
Last Race		1st, OP AlwOC (2/19/23-R8)
		Mendelssohns March Mendelssohn	4.45	Kenneth G. McPeek	1st, OP AlwOC (3/9/23-R7)	Probable
Last Race		1st, OP AlwOC (3/9/23-R7)
		Interlock Empire Classic Empire	0.00	Kenneth G. McPeek	1st, OP MSW (3/11/23-R8)	Probable
Last Race		1st, OP MSW (3/11/23-R8)
		Hit Show Candy Ride	6.80	Brad H. Cox	1st, 2023 Withers G3	Possible
Last Race		1st, 2023 Withers G3
		Disarm Gun Runner	6.03	Steven M. Asmussen	2nd, OP AlwOC (2/19/23-R8)	Possible
Last Race		2nd, OP AlwOC (2/19/23-R8)
		Verifying Justify	6.02	Brad H. Cox	4th, 2023 Rebel Stakes G2	Possible
Last Race		4th, 2023 Rebel Stakes G2
		Airtime American Freedom	3.79	Robertino Diodoro	1st, OP AlwOC (2/18/23-R6)	Possible
Last Race		1st, OP AlwOC (2/18/23-R6)