2023 Arkansas Derby Preview & FREE Picks | Reincarnate Favored To Win Kentucky Derby Prep At Oaklawn

Aaron previews the 2023 Arkansas Derby (G1) from Oaklawn Park, then gives his top picks & long shots from this major 100-point prep race for the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1). Reincarnate is the 5/2 morning line favorite, but will Aaron play him at a short price against this field? Tell us YOUR thoughts in the Comments section!

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The track press release:

Southern California-based Reincarnate was among 11 horses entered Sunday morning for the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles April 1 at Oaklawn.

Reincarnate was installed the 5-2 program favorite for the Arkansas Derby, which is Oaklawn’s fourth and final Kentucky Derby points race.

The Arkansas Derby will offer 200 points to the top five finishers (100-40-30-20-10, respectively) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby.

Reincarnate, who is trained by Tim Yakteen, will be returning to Oaklawn after finishing a troubled third in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 25. The Rebel was Oaklawn’s third Kentucky Derby points race. Red Route One opened his 3-year-old campaign with a runner-up finish behind unbeaten Arabian Knight in the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 28 before finishing second in the Rebel. The Southwest was Oaklawn’s second Kentucky Derby points race.

Two-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Brad Cox is scheduled to send out Angel of Empire, who returns to Oaklawn after winning the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at 1 1/8 miles Feb. 18 at Fair Grounds in his last start.

Angel of Empire, a son of 2017 Arkansas Derby winner Classic Empire, finished second behind stablemate Victory Formation in the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at 1 mile Jan. 1 at Oaklawn.

Rocket Can won the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) Feb. 4 and finished second behind champion Forte in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) March 4. Both 1 1/16-mile races were at Gulfstream Park. Rocket Can is owned by prominent North Little Rock, Ark., businessman Frank Fletcher, who is seeking his first victory in the Arkansas Derby, a race he covets the most.

The speedy Two Eagles Rivers exits a sharp entry-level allowance victory at 1 mile Feb. 19 at Oaklawn and has trained sharply for his graded stakes debut. Two Eagles River is trained by Chris Hartman.

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The projected Arkansas Derby field from the rail out:

1. Bourbon Bash, Reylu Gutierrez to ride, 15-1 on the morning line
2. Interlock Empire, David Cabrera, 20-1
3. Harlocap, Ricardo Santana Jr., 15-1
4. Two Eagles River, Nik Juarez, 10-1
5. Airtime, Cristian Torres, 15-1
6. Angel of Empire, Flavien Prat, 9-2
7. Rocket Can, Junior Alvarado, 4-1
8. Reincarnate, John Velazquez, 5-2
9. King Russell, Rafael Bejarano, 30-1
10. Red Route One, Tyler Gaffalione, 3-1
11. Kolomio, James Graham, 30-1