Kentucky Derby trail: Cox points Timberlake to Arkansas Derby
Trainer Brad Cox said Tuesday morning that Timberlake will return to Oaklawn for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby, with stablemate West Omaha headed to the $750,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) for fillies.
The March 30 races are Oaklawn’s final major preps for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks (G1), respectively.
Entries will be taken and post positions drawn Sunday for the Arkansas Derby and Fantasy and two other stakes races March 30 at Oaklawn, the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) for older horses and the $250,000 Matron for older fillies and mares at six furlongs.
“That’s about all we have right now,” Cox said, referring to Timberlake and West Omaha. “That’s two good ones to have. I like them both.”
Timberlake notched his first career victory around two turns in the 8 1/2-furlong Rebel Stakes (G2) on Feb. 24 at Oaklawn. The Rebel marked the 3-year-old debut for Timberlake, who completed 2023 with a victory in the Champagne Stakes (G1), a one-turn mile, Oct. 7 at Aqueduct and a fourth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at 1 1/16 miles Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.
Timberlake was a two-length winner of the Rebel, which, dating to 2021, marked Cox’s seventh victory in Oaklawn’s last 15 Kentucky Derby points races. Timberlake also was under consideration for the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) April 6 at Keeneland. The Arkansas Derby and Blue Grass both are 1 1/8 miles.
“I like the timing,” Cox said. “Obviously, has the experience there now, that one run under him. Kind of thought the Rebel was the spot when we were getting started. At the beginning of the winter, we thought the Rebel was the spot. It worked out.”
Cox didn’t disclose who would ride Timberlake in the Arkansas Derby, a race the trainer won in 2022 with Cyberknife and again last year with Angel of Empire. No trainer has won Oaklawn’s Arkansas Derby three consecutive years. Timberlake has been based this winter at Fair Grounds. He is atop the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 66 qualifying points.
The Arkansas Derby will offer 100-50-25-15-10 points to its top five finishers toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. The race is limited to 20 starters.
Other horses pointing to the Arkansas Derby include Grade 3 winner Mystik Dan for trainer Kenny McPeek, Grade 3 winner Liberal Arts for Robbie Medina, Just Steel for D. Wayne Lukas and Time for Truth for Ron Moquett.
Mystik Dan hasn’t started since an eight-length victory in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 3 at Oaklawn. Just Steel and Liberal Arts finished second and third, respectively, in the Southwest. Just Steel returned to finish a disappointing seventh in the Rebel. After scratching from the Rebel because of a minor shin injury, Time for Truth was an entry-level allowance winner in his two-turn debut March 2 at Oaklawn.
Cox is seeking his third victory in the 1 1/16-mile Fantasy after winning the race in 2018 with Sassy Sienna and last year with Wet Paint.
West Omaha won the Silverbulletday Stakes at 1 mile and 70 yards Jan. 20 at the Fair Grounds before finishing third as the favorite in the Honeybee Stakes (G3) on Feb. 24 at Oaklawn. West Omaha has been based at Oaklawn since the 1 1/16-mile Honeybee.
“We always try to participate in the Fantasy,” Cox said. “We’ve had a little luck in the race, and hopefully it will continue with this filly there and she can continue her march toward the Kentucky Oaks.”
West Omaha has 40 qualifying points for the Kentucky Oaks and is in seventh place on the leaderboard.
Other horses pointing for the Fantasy include Lemon Muffin for Lukas and Midshipman’s Dance for Robertino Diodoro. They were first and fifth, respectively, in the Honeybee. Unbeaten champion Just F Y I is under consideration for the Fantasy, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said Saturday afternoon.
The Fantasy offers 100-50-25-15-10 points to its top five finishers toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Oaks, which is limited to 14 starters.