McPeek considers Arkansas Derby for pair of recent winners

Add a pair of recent Oaklawn winners for trainer Kenny McPeek to the list of early probables for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby on April 1.

McPeek said unbeaten Mendelssohns March and Interlock Empire will “probably” run next in the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby, which is Oaklawn’s fourth and final Kentucky Derby points race.

Mendelssohns March, who is 2-for-2, overcame traffic to clear his first allowance condition at 1 1/16 miles in his March 9 local and dirt debut. Interlock Empire, at odds of 17-1, broke his maiden by five lengths at one mile March 11 at Oaklawn.

“Mendelssohns March has been ultra-impressive in the morning and in the afternoon,” McPeek said. “Interlock Empire’s race the other day was a pleasant step forward for him. He was shot out of a cannon the last part there and I like that (jockey) David Cabrera was able to get him to relax and finish like he did. It’s a little ambitious, but it seems to me the Arkansas Derby’s pretty well wide open at this point. You only get so many shots. I think there’s 1.25 million reasons to try.”

The Arkansas Derby will offer 100-40-30-20-1- points to the top five finishers toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby.

Post positions for the Arkansas Derby will be drawn March 27.