Ted Bowman’s Speed King, trained by Ron Moquett, is gearing up for the GI Arkansas Derby on March 29th after a disappointing 10th-place finish in the GII Rebel Stakes on February 23rd. Despite the setback, Moquett expressed confidence in the horse’s soundness and happiness. Speed King, currently ranked 11th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, earned 20 points for a wire-to-wire victory in the GIII Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn. The Arkansas Derby will offer 200 total points towards starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby.
In the Rebel Stakes, Speed King faced challenges with the track conditions and pacing strategy, ultimately finishing far behind the leader. Moquett highlighted the need to position the horse better in the race and acknowledged the importance of adapting to track conditions for future success. Looking ahead to the Arkansas Derby, Speed King will aim to bounce back and secure a strong finish to bolster his standing in the Kentucky Derby qualification race.
The Arkansas Derby is a significant opportunity for Speed King to make a mark and accumulate points towards the coveted Derby starting lineup. With a solid performance in this upcoming race, Speed King could improve his ranking and solidify his chances of competing in the Kentucky Derby. Racing fans and enthusiasts will be eagerly anticipating Speed King’s performance in the Arkansas Derby as he seeks redemption and a shot at Derby glory.
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