Updated: Arkansas Derby splits divisions; see the fields

Oaklawn Park saw just enough entries submitted Sunday to run its signature Arkansas Derby (G1) in two divisions, adding intrigue to a first Saturday in May that will go without a Kentucky Derby for the first time since 1945.

That the Arkansas Derby wasn’t limited to its usual 14 starters allowed both Nadal and Charlatan -- high-profile, unbeaten colts from Bob Baffert’s barn -- a way into the field. Nadal was safely qualified, but Charlatan, who progressed through maiden and allowance ranks with triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures, wouldn’t have had the earnings necessary to crack a regular Arkansas Derby.

The split races with 22 total contenders will carry $500,000 purses and buck a bit of precedent when it comes to their points values toward the 2020 Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs will award the full allotment of 100-40-20-10 points to both races' top-four finishers.

In the past, split division points correlated to the flights’ purse value relative to the original amount offered. For instance, under normal circumstances, $500,000 splits of what was originally a $750,000 race would have been worth two-thirds the points.

This, of course, is an abnormal year, with increased interest in the Arkansas Derby stemming from lost opportunities elsewhere. Other major preps — the Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial and Blue Grass Stakes — were all postponed or canceled. The last points-paying opportunity for horsemen fell on March 28 with the Florida Derby.

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"We’re trying to make the best of a very, very difficult situation," Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. "On the one hand, it is the worst of times to be racing without fans in our grandstand. On the other, we have a large number of exceptional 3-year-olds wanting to run in our Arkansas Derby. We simply did not want to see anyone lose that opportunity.”

“While we are always respectful of the time-honored traditions of the Kentucky Derby, we’re in the midst of an unprecedented year,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery. “We recognize that there are numerous 3-year-olds currently in training with limited racing opportunities, and our prominent partner Oaklawn Park is in a unique and important position to immediately fill a void for horsemen.

Aside from the Baffert pair, Arkansas Derby notables include the Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Wells Bayou, Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner King Guillermo, Southwest Stakes winner Silver Prospector (G3) and Storm the Court, 2019's champion 2-year-old colt.

Post position assignments arrived with a bit of drama. It was discovered after an initial draw that Rockingham Ranch, which owns both Wrecking Crew and part of Fast Enough, had its horses in the same division. The fields were re-drawn with those horses separated.

Arkansas Derby 1

1. Charlatan (Martin Garcia)

2. My Friends Beer (Declan Cannon)

3. Mo Mosa (Kendrick Carmouche)

4. Gouverneur Morris (John Velazquez)

5. Jungle Runner (Tyler Baze)

6. Shooters Shoot (Joe Talamo)

7. Wrecking Crew (Flavien Prat)

8. Anneau d'Or (Juan Hernandez)

9. Winning Impression (Julien Leparoux)

10. Crypto Cash (Corey Lanerie)

11. Basin (Ricardo Santana Jr.)

Arkansas Derby 2

1. Finnick the Fierce (Martin Garcia)

2. Saratogian (Joe Talamo)

3. Storm the Court (Flavien Prat)

4. King Guillermo (Samy Camacho Jr.)

5. Nadal (Joel Rosario)

6. Code Runner (Stewart Elliott)

7. Silver Prospector (Ricardo Santana Jr.)

8. Fast Enough (Tyler Baze)

9. Taishan (David Cohen)

10. Farmington Road (Javier Castellano)

11. Wells Bayou (Florent Geroux)

First post time on Oaklawn's 14-race closing Saturday card, which includes the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for older horses, is 1 p.m. ET.