Looking every bit the 3-2 morning-line favorite for the GI Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, Renegade (Into Mischief) strode out of paddock schooling with top marks shortly before noon on Thursday. The colt had that, 'Take the test, don't let the test take you' sort of look.Renegade's trainer Todd Pletcher has won the Hot Springs track's signature race five times, but it hasn't been since 2018 when Magnum Moon (Malibu Moon) took the prize. Of course, that hero was campaigned by Robert and Lawana Low, who happen to co-own Renegade with Mike Repole.The 3-year-old has an intriguing past performance arc after being disqualified in his second career race during the Belmont At The Big A meet in mid-October when Paladin (Gun Runner) was elevated to the top of the podium. His rival took the GII Remsen Stakes in early December, but Renegade was the runner-up. Last seen winning by 3 3/4 lengths the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, the Pletcher trainee comes to Arkansas ready for treasure.“That's when we really started to get excited [after the Sam F. Davis],” co-owner Robert Low said. “I have to give Todd credit. He kind of picked him out and said the way he trains, the way he behaves, the way he's bred, I guess, everything about him Todd liked as a Derby prospect from earlier on. The Sam Davis is when he said, 'Yeah, we're going to the Arkansas Derby.'”The field Renegade is up against here doesn't plan to backdown from a fight.Rebel Finish: Silent Tactic outside of Class President | Coady MediaSilent Tactic (Tacitus) has never finished out of the top two spots over five career races and has danced every dance of the Arkansas series. The Mark Casse trainee was masterful coming from off the pace in the GIII Southwest Stakes in early February and just missed catching another Pletcher runner, Class President (Uncle Mo), in the GII Rebel Stakes Mar. 1. True to form, we could hear from him late in the Arkansas Derby.Also exiting the Rebel are Litmus Test (Nyquist) and Blackout Time (Not This Time). The former is a Bob Baffert trainee who faded to third after setting the pace in the Rebel. The colt stayed put in Hot Springs instead of making the trip back to California.“I didn't want to bring him all the way back here and then go back again,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “He's a lighter made kind of horse and so I thought the best chance would have been for him to stay there and acclimate a little bit to that track. He's going to have to move up. He's got to move up. He's got to run better than he did last time. His best chance to win was to stay there.”As for Kenny McPeek trainee Blackout Time, the 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', probably needed a race under his belt after being away from the races for five months. The 3-year-old was last seen finishing second to champion Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland. After running fourth in the Rebel, one would expect Blackout Time's screws to be much tighter.Rounding out the field are several entries with stakes experience. Redland Rebels (Uncle Chuck), Bricklin (Nyquist) and Exosome (Candy Ride {Arg}) have all tried graded company, while Taptastic (Tapit) broke his maiden at first asking as the 80 cents on the dollar favorite for trainer Steve Asmussen at Oaklawn Mar. 8. Salty Crowd Assembled For Oaklawn MileThe prequel to the main event on Saturday's card is the GIII Oaklawn Mile. Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast) ships in from California for trainer John Sadler. The 2024 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner began his 2026 with a third-place finish in the GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park Jan. 24.East Avenue schooling in the infield at Oaklawn on Thursday | Coady MediaStanding in his way is 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) who is set for his 4-year-old bow. The Godolphin homebred trained Brendan Walsh was the runner-up in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes and eighth in the GI Kentucky Derby a year ago.Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. sends Neoequos (Neolithic) on his first trip to Hot Springs. The 4-year-old tried the grass for the first time in the Sunshine Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Jan. 17 and won by two lengths against his fellow Florida-breds.“We gave him a break and we brought him back on the grass,” trainer Saffie Joseph said. “It was his first time on the grass and we always wanted to try it. He ran on it well. After that, we were deciding if we go back grass or change it up a little bit. We were going to go to Tampa, the Challenger, and he had cellulitis in a hind leg and missed a couple of days, so here we are for the Oaklawn Mile.”Horses with experience over the local strip include, Will Take It (Tapit), Gun Party (Curlin), Coal Battle (Coal Front), Nu What's New (Munnings) and Awesome Aaron (Practical Joke).The post Yo Ho, Me Hearties! Renegade Digs For Arkansas Derby Treasure appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.