Arkansas Derby Contender Spotlight: Silver Prospector

HOT SPRINGS, AR – Ed and Susie Orr’s Silver Prospector will try to earn his fourth victory, and third at the graded stakes level. when he enters the gate for Saturday’s 2nd division of the $500,000 Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.

After three failed starts on turf, Silver Prospector moved to the dirt for a 6 1/2-furlong dirt sprint at Keeneland, which he won by 2 lengths. Two races later, he won a sloppy edition of the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) over rivals such as Tiz the Law, currently a favorite to win the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Silver Prospector has a victory in the Southwest Stakes (G3) to show from three starts in 2020, all at Oaklawn Park, but it sits sandwiched between off-the-board efforts in the Smarty Jones Stakes and the Rebel Stakes (G2). A recent bullet 5-furlong best-of-33 work in :59.00 indicates that the Declaration of War colt is ready for another big effort under the meet’s leading rider Ricardo Santana, Jr.

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):