The top three-year-old turf horses in the country will prep for the prestigious Secretariat Stakes (G1) on Saturday in the $200,000 American Derby (G3) at Arlington Park. Scheduled to be run at a mile and three-sixteenths on the grass, the race has drawn a field of ten.
Installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite, Schoolofhardrocks will make his first start at Arlington Park for trainer David Hofmans. Victor Espinoza has been named to ride the three-year-old son of Rock Hard Ten and was aboard for his career debut and maiden win last August. He was last seen delivering as the favorite against optional claiming competition at Santa Anita in May on the turf.
Second choice on the morning line at 7-2 is Divine Oath for the powerhouse Todd Pletcher barn. A $200,000 purchase at Keeneland as a yearling, the bay son of Broken Vow won his first two career starts at Gulfstream over the winter before finishing second in the Lexington Stakes. He was last seen finishing fourth in the Penn Mile. Florent Geroux will be in the irons for the first time and the pair will break from post two.
Also in the field at 6-1 is Our Channel, a Kentucky-bred son of English Channel who will be making his first United States start after competing in Great Britain. The chestnut colt is trained by William Haggas and will be ridden by James Graham. He has won two of his five starts and was last seen finishing thirteenth in the Investec Derby (G1).
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