The $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) on Saturday at Oaklawn Park is the final major points-qualifier for the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 1. A field of six has been entered for the 1 1/8-mile race that offers qualifying points of 100-40-20-10 the first four finishers. usracing.com is publishing profiles on the contenders in the days leading up to the race.
Arkansas Derby 2021 Entries
By Ed McNamara
He made a splash in late September with an 8-1 upset in Santa Anita’s Grade 1 American Pharoah, and the goal was the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Plans changed when Get Her Number suffered a bone bruise in a workout, and he didn’t run again until finishing a never-close seventh March 13 in Oaklawn’s Rebel Stakes (G2).
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort – Photo courtesy of Arkansas.com
“I don’t think he was 100% fit for that race,” trainer Peter Miller said Tuesday. “We might have been third, but after he got sideswiped, the race was over for him. He came out with some scrapes, but he’s fine now and he just worked super.”
Get Her Number entered the American Pharoah after running on the turf in his first two races. If he doesn’t do well Saturday, returning to the grass is an option.
“I’ve been vaccinated not only for COVID but also for Derby Fever,” Miller said. “Unlike most trainers, the Derby is not that high a priority for me. It never has been my primary goal with any horse. If it falls in place, great, and if not, we can look at the Preakness or we can look elsewhere.”
Arkansas Derby 2021 Entries: Get Her Number
Post position: 4
Odds: 6-1
Trainer: Peter Miller
Jockey: Francisco Arrieta
Owner: Gary Barber
Career record: 4-2-0-0
Career earnings: $225,667
Derby qualifying points: 10 (29th)
Best Equibase speed figure: 92
Pedigree: Dialed In-Fancier, by Bernstein
Color: Bay
Running style: Front-runner/stalker
Ed McNamara is an award-winning journalist who has been writing about thoroughbred racing for 35 years. He has handicapped races for ESPN.com, Newsday and The Record of New Jersey. He is the author of “Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown” and co-author of “The Most Glorious Crown,” a chronicle of the first 12 Triple Crown champions.
