Muth wins Arkansas Derby

Mar 30, 2024 James Scully

Zedan Racing Stables’ Muth took over entering the stretch and edged clear to a two-length decision in Saturday’s $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn. Juan Hernandez had the mount for Bob Baffert, who is suspended by Churchill Downs, and Muth will point to the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness (G1) at Pimlico on May 18.

The 1 1/8-mile race served as a major qualifier in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, and second-through-fifth earned points on a 50-25-15-10 scale.

Unraced since taking the seven-furlong San Vicente (G2) in early January, Muth has now captured three of his last four starts, concluding his juvenile campaign with a win in the American Pharoah (G1) and a second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), and his career record now reads 6-4-2-0. He was off as the 2.30-1 second choice in the Arkansas Derby.

The bay colt is by Good Magic, sire of 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage, and Muth was purchased for $2 million at the OBS March two-year-old sale.

Muth wins the G1 Arkansas Derby! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/4F7k0VGF8J

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 31, 2024

Just Steel improved upon a seventh in the Feb. 24 Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn, stalking in third before advancing to be second in the stretch, 4 1/4 lengths better than Southwest (G3) romper Mystik Dan in third. It was another half-length to Rebel winner and 11-10 favorite Timberlake in fourth, and Informed Patriot came next in fifth.

Time for Truth, Imperial Gun, Liberal Arts, Will Take It, and Dimatic completed the official order of finish.

Muth is the first stakes winner from the Uncle Mo mare Hoppa.