The decision on whether to split the $750,000 Arkansas Derby (G1) is likely to be made at the April 26 entry deadline as Oaklawn Park officials are now targeting 22-24 starters in order to run the 3-year-old stakes in two divisions.
Oaklawn Park racing secretary Pat Pope said April 23 that if the 1 1/8-mile stakes is split, each division will carry a $500,000 purse and that Churchill Downs has granted permission to offer a total of 170 qualifying points for the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) in each of those divisions.