Handicapping: Magnum Moon to stay perfect in Grade I Arkansas Derby

By Rick Francis —-


Magnum Moon; Coady Photography

Robert and Lawana Low,s Kentucky-bred son of Malibu Moon looks to extend his career opening winning streak as he faces eight rivals in the running of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby; let’s take a look at the field.

Oaklawn Park

Race 11) 1&1/8th Mile Arkansas Derby Grade I. Purse $1,000,000 THREE YEAR OLDS.

Post Time: 7:18/( 6:18)/ 5:18/ 4:18
ADVANCED FORECAST: Slight Chance Thunderstorms, High 62 Low 35

Beautiful Shot (1), Desormeaux/Eramia; blown-out in the G3 Gotham; has shown little improvement.

Machismo (2), Quartarolo/Spieth; another who doesn’t fit.

Tenfold (3), Asmussen/Espinoza; the first of three from the Asmussen barn; 2-for-2 here, and for class-test gets Triple Crown winning jockey Espinoza.

Dream Baby Dream (4), Asmussen/Contreras; has finished third in his three Oaklawn starts, don’t overlook for that trend to continue.

Solomini (5), Baffert/Prat; runner-up in the G2 Rebel had every chance to catch that victor, wasn’t going to happen; won’t again today.

Magnum Moon (6), Pletcher/Saez; Malibu Moon colt has improved in each of his three career starts, no reason to think he won’t continue that trend here. No one has been hotter than Todd Pletcher on the Derby trail; wins by what he wants.

Plainsman (7), Van Meter/McMahon; weakened last out facing OC’s; only underneath.

Quip (8), Brisset/Geroux; a winner of three of four including the G3 Tampa Bay Derby last month; he’ll stay close once again but won’t get there.

Combatant (9), Asmussen/Santana; Scat Daddy colt has been knocking on the door here and one day will kick it in, that day isn’t this day.

Selections: 6, 9, 3, 5