While its history dates to 1936, the last 20 years of the Arkansas Derby have given us some epic performers – Smarty Jones (2004), Curlin (2007) and American Pharoah (2015) chiefly among those. Saturday’s $1.5 million Grade 1 test matches local winners of the Smarty Jones, Southwest and Rebel against an upstart from the all-too-familiar Bob Baffert barn.

The Arkansas Derby includes a $10 money-back special from 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. Get up to $10 back if your win bet finishes second or third.

Let’s meet the contenders for the Arkansas Derby (Race 13):

#1-BRERETON’S BAYTOWN: Eighth in the Rebel at 188-1 odds, this well-traveled colt from Kentucky makes a return trip to Arkansas. Owns wins at Charles Town and Laurel with Charles Town-based jockey Marshall Mendez and reunites with that rider Saturday for Paul McEntee.

#2-FIRST DIVISION: Last year’s duo with Arkansas Derby third-place finisher and next-out Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan – trainer Kenny McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. – look for a return ticket. Son of 2019 Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Beach makes his stakes debut after a win, a second and a third from 3 starts at the current OP meeting.

#3-PUBLISHER: Late-running fourth-place finisher from the Rebel Stakes adds blinkers for the first time on Saturday. Trainer Steve Asmussen won last week’s Louisiana Derby with fellow Rebel Stakes alumnus Tiztastic. Asmussen’s 4 Arkansas Derby victories all-time trails on Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher with 5 apiece. Flavien Prat won this race 2 years ago aboard Angel of Empire. Son of 2015 Arkansas Derby winner and Triple Crown hero American Pharoah has yet to win in 6 starts.

#4-BESTFRIEND ROCKET: Back-to-back allowance winner at Laurel and most recently at Oaklawn since moving to D. Wayne Lukas’ barn. Lukas won the Virginia Derby 2 weeks ago at Colonial Downs with American Promise (with Nik Juarez also riding) and looks for a second potential Kentucky Derby qualifier. Lukas’ 2 Arkansas Derby wins came in 1984-’85 with Althea and Tank’s Prospect. Son of 2007 Arkansas Derby winner Curlin.

#5-SPEED KING: Front-running Southwest Stakes winner in January gets a third matchup vs. Arkansas Derby rival Coal Battle. Ran second to that one in Remington Park’s Springboard Mile by a half-length, but was no match when 15 lengths back when 10th last out in the Rebel. Ron Moquett teams again with Rafael Bejarano, who piloted Arkansas Derby winners Papa Clem (2009) and Overanalyze (2013).

#6-SANDMAN: The Southwest runner-up added a third-place finish in the Rebel Stakes, beaten a total of 2-3/4 lengths in races won by Arkansas Derby re-matched rivals Speed King and Coal Battle. $1.2 million Tapit colt was an allowance winner over the Oaklawn track in December and has won 2 of 7 overall. Mark Casse trained 2017 Arkansas Derby winner Classic Empire and changes riders here to Jose Ortiz, coming off a runaway leading jockey title at Fair Grounds.

#7-MONET’S MAGIC: Fifth in the Southwest at 44-1 odds, the Good Magic colt bypassed the Rebel and enters freshened with a light workout tab for trainer Ben Colebrook. Local allowance winner in December over a wet track. Jockey Luan Muchado won last week’s Jeff Ruby at Turfway on the Kentucky Derby trail.

#8-COAL BATTLE: Riding a 4-race winning streak – all in stakes – the Smarty Jones and Rebel winner looks to remain perfect at Oaklawn. Trainer Lonnie Briley’s horse of a lifetime is comfortably in the Kentucky Derby field on points and has had 3 workouts with an extended, 9-day spacing between heading into the Arkansas Derby. He’s won 5 of 7 for more than $1 million and regular rider Juan Vargas returns from Louisiana.

#9-CORNUCOPIAN: Smashing debut sprint winner at Oaklawn on Feb. 23 during the Rebel Day undercard, where stablemate Madaket Road would later finish second. Madaket Road heads to the Florida Derby this week while this $1.1 million Into Mischief colt gets his class and distance test. Five-time Arkansas Derby winner Bob Baffert looks to follow Muth’s win last year and a sixth victory would surpass Todd Pletcher as the race’s all-time leader. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez aims for his first Arkansas Derby win.