Oaklawn’s path to the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes hits its pinnacle Saturday with the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby. It’s a race that has spawned legends like Triple Crown winner American Pharoah as well as Curlin and Smarty Jones.

Let’s meet the contenders for the 1-1/8 miles Arkansas Derby (Race 12):

#1-WILL TAKE IT: $700,000 yearling purchase has missed the mark as a maiden through 3 starts, though came up only a nose short February 24. Son of Tapit and Lady Take Charge must make up 16-plus lengths on Arkansas Derby re-matched rivals Dimatic and Imperial Gun from previous showdowns.

#2-TIMBERLAKE: Grade 1 Champagne and Grade 2 Rebel winner could vie for favoritism after a notable win over the track. Trainer Brad Cox and jockey Flavien Prat teamed to win this race last year with Angel of Empire, and also last Saturday’s Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds with Catching Freedom. Cox aims for an Arkansas Derby three-peat following Cyberknife and Angel of Empire. Timberlake has alternated losses and wins in all 6 of his starts and seeks to double-down on victories for the first time.

#3-DIMATIC: Rebel Stakes fifth-place finisher must improve more than 7 lengths on rival Timberlake on Saturday. February 3 maiden winner scored his lone victory in 4 lifetime starts in the slop that day. Trainer Steve Asmussen is a 4-time Arkansas Derby winner, most recently with Super Stock in 2021. Jockey Cristian Torres won this year’s Rebel aboard Timberlake, but was replaced on that mount and lands here.

#4-TIME FOR TRUTH: Son of 2019 Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Beach and note his damsire Lookin At Lucky won Oaklawn’s Rebel in 2010 as part of his Preakness-winning preparation. Sharp sprinter showed 2-turn ability in winning a local allowance March 2 with a first-over trip. Trainer Ron Moquett had 2015 Arkansas Derby runner-up Far Right, who had the misfortune of meeting American Pharoah that day. Expected early pace influence.

#5-LIBERAL ARTS: Rallying third-place finisher in the Southwest Stakes bypassed the Rebel by design and returned to his training center in Lexington, Ky. Trainer Robbie Medina turns the reins over to Tyler Gaffalione, replacing regular pilot Cristian Torres. Top-3 finisher in all 6 starts may appreciate the additional distance. Son of 2016 Champion 3-Year-Old Arrogate, whose recent sophomores have included Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath and Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo.

#6-INFORMED PATRIOT: With 1 win in 6 starts, the Smarty Jones Stakes third-place finisher will try to bounce back from a disappointing fifth in the Sunland Derby. Four-time Arkansas Derby-winning trainer Steve Asmussen twice has teamed with Ricardo Santana for success here (2016 Creator, 2021 Super Stock).

#7-MUTH:  Grade 2 San Vicente and  Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes winner was runner-up in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile when finishing 1-3/4 lengths ahead of Arkansas Derby rival Timberlake. $2 million son of Good Magic, who was responsible for last year’s Kentucky Derby winner Mage, makes his first trip outside California. Trainer Bob Baffert has won the Arkansas Derby 4 times and could tie Todd Pletcher for the race record with another score. Top Santa Anita jockey Juan Hernandez visits Hot Springs for the first time since 2021 when third in the Oaklawn Handicap aboard Express Train. Not eligible to compete in the Kentucky Derby due to Churchill Downs’ ban of trainer Baffert, so this could be a Preakness or Belmont Stakes audition.

#8-JUST STEEL: The only colt this year to appear in all 4 legs of the Arkansas Derby series, the Smarty Jones and Southwest runner-up looks for a bounce-back effort after tiring to seventh in the Rebel. The son of 2018 Triple Crown champ Justify must make up 8-10 lengths on past rivals Mystik Dan and Timberlake in his rematch. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas won his first Arkansas Derby 40 years ago with Althea and again a year later with Tank’s Prospect.

#9-MYSTIK DAN: Romping, 8-length winner of Oaklawn’s Southwest Stakes in February over a sloppy track, he’s been pointed at this race since by trainer Kenny McPeek. A change in tactics from farther off the lead, a change in jockey to Brian Hernandez Jr. and a change in surface condition all conspired for a vastly improved effort from his Smarty Jones fifth. The Arkansas Derby gives him a chance to show which Mystik Dan is heading toward the Triple Crown series.

#10-IMPERIAL GUN: Third Steve Asmussen trainee in the field as he seeks a record-tying fifth Arkansas Derby victory. Dec. 31 maiden breaker failed as the 3-5 favorite last out in allowance company after a wide trip. Colt who beat him last out, Seize the Gray, returned to run third in the Jeff Ruby at Turfway last Saturday. Sire Gun Runner was responsible for 2022 Arkansas Derby winner Cyberknife.