Arkansas win earns Papa Clem Derby slot

Papa Clem won the $1 million Arkansas Derby on Saturday, holding off Old Fashioned in the stretch for his first victory since December. After second-place finishes in California and Louisiana, trainer Gary Stute's colt came from behind at Oaklawn Park to win by a half-length. He'll now have enough graded stakes earnings to qualify for the Run for the Roses in three weeks.

"He has done everything so perfect here at Oaklawn," Stute said. "He doesn't want to get beat. He has a ton of heart."

Old Fashioned, trained by Larry Jones, began the year on everybody's list of top 3-year-olds. He finished second in the Rebel Stakes last month to 56-1 shot Win Willy, the first loss of his career.

Old Fashioned was the even-money favorite Saturday. He broke toward the front immediately and held the lead for a while, but like the Rebel, this race started at a quick pace. Old Fashioned was right at the front, finishing the first quarter-mile in 22.65 seconds on the fast track. He showed impressive stamina down the stretch, but 4-1 choice Papa Clem passed him to win the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:49.01.

Papa Clem took second in the Louisiana Derby last month, finishing behind Friesan Fire, another horse trained by Jones.

"I didn't want to be Larry Jones' punching bag two races in a row," Stute joked.

Blue Grass Stakes

LEXINGTON, Ky. — General Quarters is heading home to the Kentucky Derby.

The 3-year-old colt overtook pacesetter Join in the Dance at the top of the stretch, then held off favorite Hold Me Back by 1 1/2 lengths to win the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland.

General Quarters, owned and trained by retired Louisville principal Thomas McCarthy and ridden by Eibar Coa, covered the 1 1/8 miles on Keeneland's Polytrack in 1:49.26 and paid $30.60, $11 and $7.

"I think he exhibited the tenacity to go on to the Derby," said McCarthy.

Did he ever.

General Quarters struggled in his last start, a disappointing fifth-place in the Tampa Bay Derby last month when he seemed rattled by running in traffic.

Coa, making his first start aboard General Quarters, made sure his mount didn't get too dirty this time. He pushed forward early, just off the shoulder of Join in the Dance. He stalked the leader on the backstretch and made his move at the turn, pulling ahead at the top of the stretch then digging in when Hold Me Back started to close.

"He was very professional today," Coa said. "He showed today he's going to be ready for (the Derby)."

At the finish

• The New York State Police charged Ernie Paragallo, a prominent New York thoroughbred breeder and owner, with 22 counts of animal cruelty on Friday for neglecting the horses on his breeding farm. Each count carries a punishment of up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Over the years, Paragallo has been a fixture in New York, earning $20.6 million in purses. He also owns half of Unbridled's Song, who commands a $125,000 stud fee and is one of the most successful sires in thoroughbred racing.

• The Maryland Senate has approved emergency legislation to give the state eminent domain authority to keep the Preakness Stakes in Maryland, in hopes the measure will strengthen the state's hand to avoid losing the race through a federal bankruptcy case.

Saturday's vote was 32-14.