Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
Thoroughbred Racing Fan Association, Inc.
THE ARKANSAS DERBY HAS BEEN SPLIT INTO TWO DIVISION TWICE. WHAT WAS THE FIRST YEAR IT WAS SPLIT?
5/1/2020
The 2020 Arkansas Derby moved from April 18th to May 1st for the sole reason to hope that the impact of COVID-19 would dissipate in the 2 extra weeks. As we approach this weekend their hope was not realized, although the derby will be run without fans. The shuttering of racetracks has scratched many races that helped horses prepare for the Kentucky Derby. As a result of the demand from horse connections for available races the number of horses nominated for the Arkansas Derby exploded. Oaklawn Park saw that and did the right thing. They split the Arkansas Derby into two divisions. The only other time that the Arkansas Derby was split into 2 division was in 1960. One division was won by Spring Broker owned and trained by Marion Van Berg. The second division of the race was won by Persian Gold.