Arkansas Derby Contender Spotlight: Mo Mosa

HOT SPRINGS, AR – Perry & Denise Martin homebred Mo Mosa will hope to make his second victory a defining one when he runs in Saturday’s 1st division of the $500,000 Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.

Mo Mosa made his first three starts on the Turfway Park synthetic surface, finishing second and third in a pair of sprints before breaking his maiden when he stretched out to a mile. Trainer Mike Maker saw fit to push him into the deep end of the pool for his next start, a move that backfired when the Uncle Mo colt finished last of 12 in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2).

Mo Mosa dropped down to the allowance/optional claiming ranks for his fifth and most recent start, where he finished a late-rallying third while covering a mile over the local strip. That effort produced a career-best 79 Beyer speed figure and the extra distance here should help Kendrick Carmouche pilot his late-running style.

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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):