Arkansas Derby Contender Spotlight: Crypto Cash

HOT SPRINGS, AR – Tommie Lewis and Magdalena Racing’s Crypto Cash will return to the dirt for the first time since August in Saturday’s 1st division of the $500,000 Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.

Crypto Cash debuted on the Ellis Park turf in July before competing in a pair of mile-long dirt events there, winning the latter by a head. Trainer Kenny McPeek sent him back to the lawn for his next effort, an allowance event that he won by a neck over a yielding Churchill Downs course in November.

Most recently, Crypto Cash was a non-threatening fourth after stumbling out of the gate in the Rushaway Stakes over the Turfway Park synthetic surface. The Majesticperfection colt recently fired a 5-furlong bullet work in :59.40 at Keeneland and retains Corey Lanerie for the second straight time.

Click here to subscribe to our monthly premium products & be the first to receive our Inside Track to the Arkansas Derby Wagering Guide that also includes full coverage of Friday’s Fantasy Stakes (G3)!

The Arkansas Derby is a Kentucky Derby (G1) prep race awarding a total of 170 points to the top four finishers. The winner will receive 100 points, with 40 going to second, 20 to third, and 10 to fourth.

Here is the full field for the 1st division of the Arkansas Derby (click on each horse’s name to read an exclusive preview):