Muth Gives Baffert Record-Tying Fifth Arkansas Derby

Fierceness, the reigning 2-year-old champion, is heading to Churchill Downs where his role as Kentucky Derby favorite seems assured after he dismantled his G1 Florida Derby rivals, winning by 13 1/2 lengths. Muth is not eligible because of the Louisville, Ky.,  track's parent company banning trainer Bob Baffert for the third consecutive year over a medication positive involving Medina Spirit, who finished first in the 2021 Derby but was subsequently disqualified.

There were 200 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, with 100 slated to the winner and 50-25-15-10 going to the next four finishers. However, because of Baffert's ineligibility, Muth's 100 points are vacated.

Muth gave Baffert his fifth Arkansas Derby victory, tying him with fellow Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher for the most wins in the race inaugurated in 1936. Brad Cox has won the last two renewals, with Cyberknife in 2022 and Angel of Empire in 2023, Timberlake, who finished behind Fierceness and Muth while fourth in last year's BC Juvenile, could not give Cox the "hat trick." Timberlake came into the Arkansas Derby off a win in the G2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn in his 2024 debut but had no answer when Muth challenged him at the three-eighths pole.

Time for Truth grabbed the early lead, going the opening quarter mile in :23.43, but Flavien Prat and Timberlake moved to the front down the backstretch, clicking off a half mile in :47.46 and six furlongs in 1:12.26. Muth, breathing down Timberlake's neck, disposed of that rival easily and was never threatened down the stretch after passing the mile marker in 1:37.25 en route to his final clocking – his final furlong run in 12 1/5 seconds.

Produced from the Uncle Mo mare, Hoppa, Muth was bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corporation. He was sold by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency to Bishop Bloodstock for $190,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, then purchased by Donato Lanni, agent for Zedan, for $2 million from Top Line Sales at the 2023 OBS March Sale of 2-year-olds in training.