Moquett’s Time for Truth Makes KyDerby Prep Debut in ArkDerby

March 17, 2024

By Robert Yates

Time for Truth breaks his maiden Dec. 13 at Oaklawn Park | Photo By Coady Photography

Lightly raced Time for Truth will make his next start in the $1.5 million G1-Arkansas Derby March 30 at Oaklawn, trainer Ron Moquett said Sunday morning.

A son of 2019 Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Beach, Time for Truth will be making his first start in a Kentucky Derby points race. Time for Truth has won 2 of 3 starts overall, including a March 2 entry-level allowance at Oaklawn that marked his two-turn debut.

Time for Truth showed a new dimension in the 1 1/16-mile race, coming from off the pace to post a 1 ½-length victory under Rafael Bejarano, who will have the mount in the Arkansas Derby, Moquett said.

“We’re still trying to put it all together,” Moquett said. “He’s a very talented horse that we’re just trying to see where his maturation is. The other day we noticed, even though he won, when he made the front, he kind of waited on a horse for a second, but then galloped out really well. So, we’re trying to get him to do everything that he’s supposed to do to be more professional.”

Time for Truth returned to the work tab Saturday morning, covering six furlongs in 1:13 under Bejarano. The track was muddy.

“This was our meat and potatoes,” Moquett said. “Then, we’ll put a side on him next week.”

Time for Truth was scheduled to make his stakes debut in the $1.25 million G2-Rebel at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 24. But he was scratched after suffering a minor shin injury on the eve of the race, Moquett said, and rerouted to the allowance spot, which became his Arkansas Derby prep.

Time for Truth became the first Oaklawn winner for Omaha Beach with a front-running 1 ¾-length debut score at six furlongs Dec. 31. He tackled stakes company in his next start and finished second to Valentine Candy in the six-furlong $150,000 Ozark Feb. 10. Time for Truth, the betting favorite, was beaten 2 ½ lengths after leading to midstretch.

Time for Truth races for Arkansan Harry Rosenblum and Everett Dobson.

The Arkansas Derby will offer 200 points to its top five finishers (100-50-25-15-10, respectively) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby, which is limited to 20 starters.

Other horses pointing to the Arkansas Derby include Mystik Dan for trainer Kenny McPeek, Liberal Arts (Robbie Medina) and Just Steel (D. Wayne Lukas).

Mystik Dan hasn’t started since an eight-length victory in the $800,000 G3-Southwest Stakesat 1 1/16 miles Feb. 3. The Southwest was Oaklawn’s second Kentucky Derby points race. Just Steel and Liberal Arts finished second and third, respectively, in the Southwest. Just Steel returned to finish a disappointing seventh in the Rebel, Oaklawn’s third Kentucky Derby points race.

Entries will be taken, and post positions drawn March 24 for Arkansas Derby and three other stakes races March 30 at Oaklawn – $750,000 G2Fantasy (G2) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles, $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) for older horses and the $250,000 Matron for older fillies and mares at 6 furlongs.

Source: Moquett’s Time for Truth Makes KyDerby Prep Debut in ArkDerby (pastthewire.com)