Kentucky-bred Renegade used an explosive late charge to post a facile victory in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
Stamping himself as a leading Kentucky Derby (G1) contender, Renegade rolled home by four emphatic lengths under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Renegade is a son of Into Mischief owned by Mike Repole and Robert and Lawana Low. Pletcher teamed with Repole to win the 2013 Arkansas Derby (G1) with Overanalyze. He won the race with the Lows in 2018 with Magnum Moon.
Renegade trailed the Arkansas Derby field of eight after the first half-mile. He began to advance toward the leaders on the second turn and moved into contention with a four-wide burst turning for home. He roared to the front passing the eighth pole. Racing in the middle of the stretch, Renegade ran away from his rivals, covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.70. Silent Tactic, who held a half-length lead in midstretch, finished second. Taptastic finished third.
“He kicked home,” Ortiz said of Renegade. “The way he did it today, it was very special.”
Renegade Has Connections Derby Dreaming
Renegade collected 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points for the victory. It was his second win in five lifetime starts. He was exiting a 3 ¾-length victory in the Sam F. Davis Stakes Feb. 7 at Tampa Bay Downs.
The Lows bred Renegade and secured half interest in the colt after Repole purchased him for $975,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Renegade, who was bred in Kentucky, is the first foal out of Spice Is Nice, a Grade 3 winner for the Lows and Pletcher.
“We were super excited about the way he ran,” said Pletcher. “It looked like he got shuffled around a little bit in the first turn and down the backside. It looked like he was traveling well. I was really impressed by the way he finished coming home the last eighth of a mile the way he did.”