Muth Secures Victory in Arkansas Derby, Excluded from Kentucky Run

Muth, a 3-year-old colt owned by Amr Zedan and trained by Bob Baffert, secured a victory in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park, outpacing competitors such as Just Steel and Mystik Dan. Despite this significant win, Muth will not be eligible to participate in the 2024 Kentucky Derby due to a suspension of his trainer, Baffert, from Churchill Downs properties. The suspension, which will run through 2024, is a consequence of a medication violation involving another Baffert-trained horse, Medina Spirit, in the 2021 Kentucky Derby.

The victory in Arkansas marks Baffert's fifth in the event, tying him with Todd Pletcher for the most by any trainer. The win is also significant for Muth's career, as it was his second Grade 1 victory in a Derby prep and it follows a pattern of strong performances by Baffert-trained horses in similar preps since the previous fall. Muth, a $2-million purchase at the OBS March sale, has amassed career earnings of $1,504,100.

The legal challenges and issues surrounding Baffert and Churchill Downs have resulted in the vacating of the 100 qualifying points Muth would have earned for the Kentucky Derby. Nevertheless, Baffert has expressed uncertainty about Muth's potential at the upcoming Preakness Stakes scheduled for May 18 in Baltimore, where Muth is expected to be a major contender. This win at Oaklawn is a notable milestone in Baffert's career, but it does not alter the status of his suspension or the eligibility of his horses for the Kentucky Derby.