Baffert wins both divisions of Arkansas Derby

On the traditional weekend of the Kentucky Derby Bob Baffert now has two big contenders for the 'Run for the Roses' following the success's of Charlatan and Nadal in the two divisions of the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn.

The Kentucky Derby has been rescheduled to take place on Saturday 5 September due to the Coronavirus pandemic and Baffert will be eager to add to his already impressive haul of five victories in the event with either of these three-year-olds.

Baffert said: “Very exciting day, to say the least. I thought both horses were going to run really well. Charlatan, what a talent he is and how fast he is. I just loved the way, third out, to ship and to do that, what he did — only the really good ones can do that.

“And Nadal, he came out of that race (Rebel Stakes, also at Oaklawn) — he's a tough horse. There's a lot to him and he's a cool customer and I could see he's getting better and better.

“I just told (Joel) Rosario to just get him running away from there and if somebody just gets ridiculous, like I thought maybe Florent (Geroux, on Wells Bayou), he would probably try to get the lead, but don't be worried about this horse sitting off a horse and he handled it well.

“Down the backside, I just loved the way he was. I figured if he was good enough, he can win from there. We just didn't want to go :22 and empty out. It worked out perfectly.”

Baffert added: “I just want to thank the Cella family and Oaklawn Park for the fantastic job. Just fortunate and happy that they were able to split it and give everybody a chance to get some Derby points.”

If Baffert can win the rearranged Kentucky Derby he will equal Ben Jones record of training six winners of the race which was achieved between 1938 and 1952.

The one to beat in September? 😯 #Charlatan goes whoosh in the #ArkansasDerby. 💥

🎥 @TVG pic.twitter.com/UNkf9kn4jD

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) May 2, 2020

Baffert's previous winners of the Kentucky Derby include two recent Triple Crown winners in Justfiy (2018) and American Pharoah (2015).

A virtual Kentucky Derby was broadcast in the US yesterday which comprised of 13 previous Triple Crown winners and was won by the 1973 Champion Secretariat.