Robert Low’s horse qualifies for Kentucky Derby

Photos provided by Oaklawn Racing & Gaming

Low poses with Magnum Moon, ridden by Luis Saez.

Prime Inc. owner Robert Low’s racehorse Magnum Moon is headed to the Kentucky Derby after winning this weekend’s Arkansas Derby.

The win marks the first time Low has had a horse qualify for the Kentucky Derby since Steppenwolfer took third place in 2006, said Jennifer Hoyt, spokeswoman for Oaklawn Racing & Gaming. Oaklawn operates the racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where the Arkansas Derby was held April 14.

Ridden by Luis Saez and trained by Todd Pletcher, Magnum Moon was favored 4-5 to win the Arkansas Derby. on March 17, Magnum Moon also won the Rebel Stakes, a qualifying race at Oaklawn, according to a news release.

“He had me worried to death when I saw we were in the lead. But Luis gave him a masterful ride,” Low said in a news release. “He flew out early.”

If Magnum Moon goes on to capture the Kentucky Derby title, the horse would be the fourth winner of Rebel Stakes and the Arkansas Derby to do so. The most recent was American Pharoah in 2015.

Some 64,500 attended the $1 million Arkansas Derby, which generated more than $16 million in total bets, a single-day record for Oaklawn, according to the release.