2023 Arkansas Derby predictions, odds, date, post time, contenders: Surprising picks from horse racing expert
The Kentucky Derby is just five weeks away, and on Saturday the road to Louisville goes through Hot Springs, Ark., when 11 horses leave the starting gate in the 2023 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. One of the major Kentucky Derby prep races, the Arkansas Derby will award Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the first five finishers, including 100 to the winner, guaranteeing the top two finishers a spot in the starting gate in the first leg of the Triple Crown. Sham Stakes winner Reincarnate is the 5-2 favorite in the 2023 Arkansas Derby odds. Rebel Stakes runner-up Red Route One is the 3-1 second choice in the 2023 Arkansas Derby field.
The 2023 Arkansas Derby post time is 7:24 p.m. ET. With several lightly raced three-year-olds set to enter the starting gate on Saturday, you'll want to see what racing reporter and analyst Michelle Yu has to say before making any 2023 Arkansas Derby picks.
Few people in racing are as well-connected as Yu. An on-air host and reporter who has provided racing analysis for TVG, HRTV and the Breeders' Cup, Yu has spent a lifetime in racing. Prior to her television career, she worked for trainers Steve Asmussen and Ron Moquett. She also is married to Santa Anita-based trainer Ryan Hanson.
Since joining SportsLine in November 2021, her picks have cashed in the 2021 and 2022 Breeders' Cup Classics, Kentucky Oaks, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, among other races. In February, she crushed the Saudi Cup, riding a 15-1 winner, and last week she nailed the UAE Derby.
For Saturday, Yu has handicapped the 2023 Arkansas Derby field, given her horse-by-horse analysis, made her picks and constructed her wagers. Head to SportsLine to see them.
Top 2023 Arkansas Derby predictions
One surprise: Yu's top pick is not Reincarnate, even though he is the 5-2 favorite. Reincarnate blossomed over the winter under the care of trainer Bob Baffert, winning the Grade 3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita in January. But because of Baffert's suspension at Churchill Downs, and his inability to enter horses in the Kentucky Derby, Reincarnate was transferred to trainer Tim Yakteen. In his first start for Yakteen, the Rebel Stakes, Reincarnate finished third.
The colt encountered much-publicized traffic trouble in the Rebel, and Yu believes his odds will be even shorter than his morning line because of that. "He certainly has the talent, but because of the trouble in his last start, every wise guy is going to play him on Saturday and his price will be no good," Yu told SportsLine. See which 2023 Arkansas Derby horses to back at SportsLine.
How to make 2023 Arkansas Derby picks
Instead, Yu's top choice is a horse who "can be tactical." She also is high on a double-digit longshot whose recent changes could result in a strong showing. She's sharing which horses to back only at SportsLine.
So which horse wins the Arkansas Derby 2023? And which double-digit longshot is a must-back? See the 2023 Arkansas Derby odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Yu's picks for the Arkansas Derby, and find out.
