The Arkansas Derby is the final major Kentucky Derby prep race. (Getty)
The Arkansas Derby is one of the final two prep races today, but the only race that will impact the Kentucky Derby field. The Arkansas Derby has a post time of 7:18 p.m. Eastern and will be broadcast on TVG.
Today’s race features 170 points at stake towards Kentucky Derby qualifying with the winner receiving 100 points. The second place horse gets 40 points, third place gets 20 points while fourth place receives 10 points.
The race is fairly wide open as Classic Empire enters as the favorite but has plenty of red flags. The horse is in danger of missing the Kentucky Derby and needs a strong finish on Saturday to advance to Churchill Downs. In Classic Empire’s last race he finished third at the Holy Bull on February 4th. The horse has been battling a foot abscess over the past two months.
The Todd Pletcher trained Malagacy is expected to give Classic Empire a run. He has won his last three races including the Rebel Stakes in March.
According to America’s Best Racing, the purse for the Arkansas Derby is $1 million with $600,000 going to the winner.
Here’s a look at the 2017 Arkansas Derby odds courtesy of the Kentucky Derby. Each horse is listed by the post position.
Arkansas Derby 2017 Odds, Horses & Post Positions
| POS. | HORSE | ODDS |
| 1 | Rockin Rudy | 12-1 |
| 2 | Classic Empire | 8-5 |
| 3 | Silver Dust | 20-1 |
| 4 | Petrov | 12-1 |
| 5 | Grandpa’s Dream | 30-1 |
| 6 | Lookin at Lee | 15-1 |
| 7 | Sonneteer | 15-1 |
| 8 | Rowdy the Warrior | 30-1 |
| 9 | Untrapped | 6-1 |
| 10 | One Dreamy Dude | 50-1 |
| 11 | Conquest Mo Money | 15-1 |
| 12 | Malagacy | 2-1 |
