2015 Arkansas Derby

Zayat Stables’ homebred American Pharoah continued his tour-de-force of the Oaklawn Park 3-year-old prep series April 11, blowing away seven rivals in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) with an impressive eight-length score. Shifting from his usual frontrunning tactics, the Pioneerof the Nile runner tracked just off the pace set by longshot Bridget’s Big Luvy. He reeled that one in with ease heading into the far turn, and drew away under a hand ride from jockey Victor Espinoza, winning geared down with