Kentucky Derby Qualifying Race: 2020 Arkansas Derby April 30, 2020 by Marc Jerbs

Every 1st Saturday of May, all American race fans knows that is the annual schedule of the Kentucky Derby.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Kentucky Derby was moved to September 5.

This Saturday's race will be the two-division races of the Arkansas Derby.

The Arkansas Derby is the last qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby.

It is a Grade 1 race for three year old horses and will cover a total race distance 1 1/8 miles of the dirt-surfaced Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.

The 1st race will start at 6:29PM EDT while the 2nd race post time is set at 7:43PM EDT.

With a two division set-up, each division will receive a total purse of $500,000 and the winner will take $300,000.

Both divisions will also received full qualifying point on the first four runners crossing the finish line.

World-renowned train Bob Baffert has won and/or placed five of the last eight edition of the Arkansas Derby.

He has a great opportunity to win both divisions as he fielded Charlatan in the 1st division and Nadal at the 2nd division race.

Charlatan will be challenge by Gouverneur Morris, Annean d'Or and Basin while Nadal will face Storm the Court, King Guillermo and Wells Bayou.

The sportsbook handicappers have installed Charlatan and Nadal as the favorites to win in their respective division races on Saturday's Arkansas Derby.