HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — Archarcharch stormed home to win the $1 million Arkansas Derby at 25-1 on Saturday.
The colt, owned by Arkansas native Bob Yagos and trained by fellow Arkansan Jinks Fires, trailed with a second group for much of the race before charging hard the final 1/8 mile of the 1 1/8-mile race. He overpowered Dance City and Sway Away on the home stretch and held off a late charge by Nehro to earn the win.
The Grade 1 win is the first for Fires, who along with Yagos, will now make his first Kentucky Derby appearance on May 7.
Ridden by Jon Court, Archarcharch paid $52.40, $16.80 and $8.20. Nehro paid $9 and $5.60 for finishing second, and Dance City paid $14.20 in third.
Heavy pre-race favorite The Factor finished seventh.
