This weekend we have two Kentucky Derby prep races to enjoy. American Pharoah will run as the stand out favorite in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn. The Arkansas Derby has many more points towards the Derby standings than the other Stakes race with 100 points for first place, 40 for second place, 20 for show and 10 for 4th place.

American Pharoah is assured a spot in the Kentucky Derby as he already has 60 points. His credentials are impressive – he was named champion 2-year-old of 2014 by virtue of his wins in the Del Mar Futurity and Front Runner Stakes. His 3-year-old debut came in the Rebel and he will once again be partnered with jockey Victor Espinoza, a two-time Kentucky Derby winner.

The complete field for the 79th running of the Arkansas Derby, in post position order, with riders and morning line odds: The Truth or Else, Calvin Borel, 15-1; Mr. Z, Ramon Vazquez, 10-1; Bridget’s Big Luvy, Angel Cruz, 20-1; Madefromlucky, John Velazquez, 6-1; Bold Conquest, Ricardo Santana Jr., 20-1; American Pharoah, Victor Espinoza, 1-2; Far Right, Mike Smith, 9-2 and Win the Space, Kent Desormeaux, 30-1.

The Coolmore Lexington Stakes will also be run on Saturday at Keeneland. Divining Rod who was runner-up in the Sam F. Davis and third-place finisher in the Tampa Bay Derby, tops a field of seven 3-year-olds.

The 1 1/16-mile main track test serves as the final chance in Kentucky for horses to earn points toward the Kentucky Derby. The race offers only 17 points in total with 10 for the winner, 4 for placing, 2 for the show spot and 1 for the 4th place horse.

The complete field for the Coolmore Lexington, from the rail out, is as follows: Divining Rod (Leparoux, 118 pounds), Comfort (Javier Castellano, 118), Quimet (Jose Lezcano, 118), Tiznow R J (Robby Albarado, 118), Henry Jones (Paco Lopez, 118), Fame and Power (Ortiz Jr., 118) and Donworth (Joel Rosario, 118).

Good luck to all the horses and hoping that all those hoping for a Kentucky Derby spot make the big show on that first Saturday in May!