HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — It was a record day for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and Zedan Racing Stables' Muth, who claimed the $1.5 million purse at the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs on Saturday.
The victory marked Baffert's record-tying fifth at the Arkansas Derby. However, because of his suspension from Churchill Downs, Muth is ineligible to collect any of the 200 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
Baffert's suspension stems from a medication violation regarding Medinia Spirit in his 2021 Kentucky Derby victory, for which he was later disqualified.
Under rider Juan Hernandez, Muth, the 8-5 program favorite, finished two lengths ahead of 32-1 long shot Just Steel and 4 1/4 lengths ahead of Mystik Dan, who finished in third place.
Muth’s winning time over a fast track was 1:49.54, which raised his lifetime earnings to $1,504,100. It was his fourth victory in six starts and his first outside California.
Fan favorite Timberlake was aggressive early, but finished a half-length behind Mystik Dan for fourth place as the even-money favorite. The 2024 Rebel Stakes winner was followed by Informed Patriot, Time for Truth, Imperial Gun, Liberal Arts, Will Take It and Diamatic.
Liberal Arts finished sixth but was disqualified for interference on the first turn and placed eighth following a stewards' inquiry.
Timberlake, who made an aggressive early move for the lead, finished fourth as the even-money favorite, a half-length behind Mystik Dan. Timberlake was followed, in order, by Informed Patriot, Time for Truth, Imperial Gun, Liberal Arts, Will Take It and Dimatic. Liberal Arts crossed the finish line sixth, but he was disqualified for interference on the first turn and placed eighth following a stewards’ inquiry.
The Arkansas Derby was Oaklawn’s fourth and final race for Kentucky Derby points. Oaklawn is closed on Sunday in observance of Easter. Racing resumes Thursday at 12:35 p.m. Central.