The Arkansas Derby trail opens Saturday when 9 freshly turned sophomores battle in this $250,000 event over 1-1/16 miles. Stakes performers from across North America converge in Hot Springs in what looks to be one of the deeper renewals in this race’s 19-year history. Kentucky Derby qualifying points are on the line, including 10 to the winner.

Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet be sure to take part in the 1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split on Saturday’s late pick 4 at Oaklawn.

Let’s meet the contenders for the Smarty Jones Stakes (Race 10):

#1-UNIVERSE (pictured): Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes runner-up also has graded stakes-placings in the Champagne and Street Sense, facing some of the top 2-year-olds of 2025. Son of Global Campaign debuted a winner sprinting at Saratoga, but has proven himself capable twice around 2 turns at a quality level. Trainer Kenny McPeek came through Oaklawn 2 years ago with Mystik Dan en route to Kentucky Derby glory. He won this race in 2022 with Dash Attack. Joel Rosario rides for the first time.

#2-BAYTOWN DREAMER: $5,000 yearling bargain has bagged $200,000-plus for trainer Paul McAntee, boosted by a third-place finish in the $1 million Juvenile Mile at Kentucky Downs on turf. He’s run on grass 5 straight starts, but ran solidly in 3 dirt dashes this spring and summer prior. Mendelssohn colt has some damside distance questions. Orlando Bocachica rides for the first time.

#3-BOCA BEACH CLUB: Visually impressive Hawthorne debut winner for Jimmy DiVito was bet to favoritism when second-bset in Oaklawn’s 5-1/2-furlong Advent Stakes on Dec. 12. Son of Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Beach has plenty of damside pedigree to stretch out and attracts Luis Saez for the first time. Big drill locally since the Advent Stakes may tip his performance.

#4-SILENT TACTIC: Woodbine’s Grey Stakes runner-up leaves behind the synthetic surface in Canada for the first time Saturday. This $500,000 juvenile purchase by Tacitus rallied to win his debut in October over 1-1/16 miles and is proven around 2 turns. Jaime Torres takes to the saddle for the first time and leads a two-pronged attack for Mark Casse (who also saddles Strategic Risk).

#5-RANCHO SANTA FE: Tapit home-bred notched Ellis Park and Keeneland route victories to open his career and brings a perfect mark into his first stakes test. Half-brother to active, graded-stakes winner and millionaire earner Heroic Move. Trainer Brad Cox won the 2021 (Caddo River), 2023 (Victory Formation) and 2024 (Catching Freedom) editions of the Smarty Jones, the only barn to win 3 times in this race. Florent Geroux teamed with Cox aboard Caddo River. Training strongly at Payson Park in Florida for this road trip.

#6-OSCAR’S HOPE: Tom Amoss saddled Liberty Bull to win the first Smarty Jones in 2008 and looks for a long-awaited follow-up. This Twirling Candy colt exits a Churchill allowance win and a Jean Lafitte Stakes score at Delta Downs, while never finishing worse than second in 5 starts. Bet to 8-5 or less in every start, including Saratoga and Keeneland appearances, he’s a fan favorite. Ricardo Santana Jr. gets the call for the first time.

#7-STRATEGIC RISK: Second of 2 Mark Casse trainees in the entries, this Noble Bird colt blitzed the route competition in the Florida Sire Stakes series finale Nov. 29 at Gulfstream Park. Drew off by 9 lengths in first dirt try around 2 turns, albeit vs. Florida-breds. Fourth in Saratoga’s Sanford Stakes against open company this summer. Javier Castellano rode for the first time in the FSS In Reality and makes the trip to Oaklawn.

#8-SCAR SHIP: Louisiana-bred steps into open company for the first time, adding blinkers off a narrow second in the Louisiana Juvenile at Fair Grounds on Dec. 13. Ricky Courville trains the Midshipman colt, who is a late May foal. Ramon Vazquez gets the call for the first time on a 1-for-4 performer expected to be a longshot.

#9-SLEEPINGONFREEDOM: Second entrant in the lineup for trainer Kenny McPeek, joining the more proven Universe. McPeek aims for a second Smarty Jones score (2022 Dash Attack). This colt by Independence Hall has won 2 of 3 while racing in sales price-restricted company in each start. Steps up in class under Brian Hernandez Jr., whose task will be to save some ground from the wide draw.