Distance
1 1/8 miles
Surface
Dirt
Eligibility
3yo only
Grade
G1
Track
Oaklawn Park
Location
Hot Springs, AR
When
Mid-April
About the race
Oaklawn's headline Derby prep — has produced multiple Triple Crown winners in the modern era.
Race history
First run in 1936. Oaklawn's main track is fast and pace-friendly. Worth 100 Road-to-the-Derby points. American Pharoah (2015) won the Arkansas Derby before sweeping the Triple Crown; Smarty Jones (2004) also came through here.
Betting trends
What sharps watch for
- 01
Oaklawn's deep dirt rewards pressers; pure pace types often get caught.
- 02
Field is typically smaller than Florida or California preps — easier trip dynamics, but smaller sample for form.
- 03
Strong winner-of-Derby track record in the last 20 years (Smarty Jones, American Pharoah).
Recent winners
Last 4 editions
| Year | Winner | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Muth | — |
| 2023 | Angel of Empire | — |
| 2022 | Cyberknife | — |
| 2021 | Super Stock | — |
Where to bet the Arkansas Derby
US pari-mutuel wagering happens through licensed operators. TVG (FanDuel-owned) and TwinSpires (Churchill Downs) are the two largest dedicated US racing platforms; both ship win/place/show plus the full exotic ladder (exacta, trifecta, superfecta, daily double, Pick 3/4/6) at the Oaklawn Park meeting.
Other Derby preps
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