By Matt Shifman and Bob Ehalt

The $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1), Saturday, Oaklawn Park

Race 13 – The Arkansas Derby is a [100-50-25-15-10] points qualifier on the road to the 2026 Kentucky Derby. A field of nine was drawn including eight who have a previous start on the Derby trail and now run 1 1/8 miles. (2) Silent Tactic will make his fourth start on the Oaklawn road to the Kentucky Derby. He was second in the Smarty Jones in January, the winner of the Southwest (G3), and missed by a nose in the Rebel (G2). His late running style should benefit from the added distance. (6) Renegade won the Sam F. Davis in February as a maiden after finishing second in the salty running of the Remsen (G2) as a 2-year-old and Irad Ortiz Jr. chose to ride here over one of the favorites in the Florida Derby. (9) Litmus Test was third in the Rebel after setting the pace in his only start of 2026 and should move forward from that race. This will be his fifth start on the Derby trail. (3) Blackout Time was fourth in the Rebel in his 2026 debut. He finished ahead of Litmus Test in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1). Betting strategy:  Exacta key box: 2 with 3, 6, 7, 9. Trifecta box: 2, 3, 6, 9.