A $1-million purse will be up for grabs this Saturday (April 11) when Madefromlucky, the only Thoroughbred member of the ‘Stable of Horses That God Loves,’ breaks from Post 4 in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The handsome three-year-old is trained by Todd Pletcher for Erin, Ont. horseman Mac Nichol and Cheyenne Stables. Madefromlucky will face a field of seven, including the heavy favourite, American Pharoah, winner of four of five lifetime starts. Madefromlucky finished second to American Pharoah at Oaklawn on March 14.
“He had an excellent workout for the race and everything is going good leading up to Saturday’s test,” said Nichol. “This is a very special horse, and a horse that comes out of his races happy and bouncing.”
A percentage of Madefromlucky’s purse earnings in the Arkansas Derby will be donated to the Standardbred Racetrack Chaplaincy of Canada.
The 79th renewal of the Arkansas Derby is a key qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby. The winner is awarded 100 points, 40 for second, 20 to third and 10 for fourth. Madefromlucky picked up 20 points for his second-place finish in the Rebel Stakes and is currently ranked 26th among Kentucky Derby hopefuls.
Madefromlucky will be ridden by J.R. Velazquez. He is the third choice at 6-1 in the one and one-eighth mile test for three-year-olds.
Post time for the Derby is 6:18 p.m.
(Standardbred Racetrack Chaplaincy of Canada)