There were two divisions of the $500,000 Arkansas Derby (9f) but just one winning trainer as Bob Baffert saddled Charlatan and Nadal to win.
Both colts remained unbeaten by winning their respective divisions of the Arkansas Derby and giving the Hall of Fame trainer a strong hand for the three-year-old classics whenever they are held, the Arkansas Derby victories provided Nadal and Charlatan with sufficient qualifying points.
Baffert told TVG he was expecting a strong performance from Nadal (pictured above) which won the Gr2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn on March 14 having set fast fractions and staying on strongly.
Here Nadal broke nicely, then tracked in second before forging to the lead and score by 1-1/2 lengths in 0.15 seconds faster time than Charlatan, which led all the way to win his division.
“Nadal was ready for this – he was tested the last time,” Baffert said.
“We learned today that both Nadal and Charlatan are gifted horses and that Nadal can sit off horses, that’s good news.
“Charlatan just goes fast and faster, he’s a smaller version of Justify.”
