MUTH became a Grade 1 winner at both two and three on Saturday when the Good Magic colt easily conquered the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.

The Bob Baffert trainee was happy to shadow the pacesetting Time For Truth throughout the backstretch while keeping pressure on that competitor to assure a solid pace. By the time they neared the far turn in the 1 1/8-mile affair, MUTH was ready to show his best and show it he did.

With Juan Hernandez aboard, he kicked clear of all challengers and happily pulled away in the stretch to win by two lengths.

“He got away and then he was in a good spot,” said Baffert. “The track speed really wasn’t playing well today, but he was in a good spot there… But Muth, he’s just … the only that beat him was Fierceness and we saw what he did today (winning the Florida Derby). I’m just happy for everybody. The Arkansas Derby is very important. It’s a very prestigious race, winning that.”

MUTH was a $2 million purchase for Zedan Racing and has proven why Donato Lanni was given the green light to secure him. The son of Good Magic has won four of his six starts and never finished off the board for $1.5 million in earnings.

His three stakes victories include two Grade 1s and he finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) the only time he didn’t visit the winner’s circle at the level. He has gone a perfect two-from-two in 2024 with his season starting with a victory in the San Vicente Stakes (G2).