11 starters expected for Ark. Derby draw

HOT SPRINGS — Last seen locally on New Year’s Day, Angel of Empire likely gets a chance to duplicate his sire’s 2017 success in next Saturday’s Grade I Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.

Angel of Empire, whose sire Classic Empire won the 2017 Arkansas Derby, won Oaklawn’s Smarty Jones and subsequent Grade II Risen Star at Fair Grounds. He is among 11 prospects expected for the $1.25-million event. Entries are to be drawn today and the Grade III $600,000 Fantasy Stakes. The Grade III $400,000 Oaklawn Mile and the $200,000 Hot Springs also are on the card.

Trained by Brad Cox, Angel of Empire avenged his second-place finish in the Smarty Jones to stablemate Victory Formation at Fair Grounds.

North Little Rock owner Frank Fletcher ships in Rocket Can from Florida for the nine-furlong Oaklawn classic, first won by Holl’s Image in 1936 for a $5,000 purse. Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Rocket Can won the Grade III Holy Bull on Feb. 4 and placed second behind champion Forte in the Grade II Fountain of Youth on March 4.

In Tim Yakteen’s name, Reincarnate finished third in the Grade II $1 million Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn.

Red Route One ran second in the Southwest and Rebel stakes at Oaklawn for Steve Asmussen. Rebel winner Confidence Game is pointing at two April preps in Kentucky or may train up to the Kentucky Derby, said trainer Keith Desormeaux, who is entering Kolomio.

Others expected to enter, per the Oaklawn racing office, are Airtime for trainer Robertino Diodoro, Bourbon Bash (D.Wayne Lukas), Harlocap (Asmussen), Interlock Empire (Ken McPeek), King Russell (Ron Moquett), Mendelssohns March (McPeek) and Two Eagles River (Chris Hartman).