The Kentucky Derby picture took a new turn on Saturday when the Steve Asmussen-trained colt Creator won the $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn.

It was expected a grey son of Tapit would come out on top – just not Creator.

The odds-on choice Cupid could only manage a poor 10th-place finish after a rough start and pace-pressing trip, leaving WinStar Farm’s Creator to power to post an impressive 1 1/4-length last-to-first victory over Suddenbreakingnews and Whitmore in a fine trial for the Kentucky Derby in three weeks.

Asmussen, who earned his seventh Oaklawn training title in 2016, had previously won the Arkansas Derby in 2002 with Private Emblem and 2007 with Curlin.

Creator had finished third behind Cupid in their previous clsh in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn and Asmussen expected his improvement.

“His race in the Rebel was good and we felt like he came out of it good. He had a little break and came out training great. I am very proud of the outcome today,”Asmussen said.

Creator was the first horse WinStar Farm has ever sent to Hall of Fame inductee Asmussen.

“Steve has done a really good job with him,” said WinStar’s Elliott Walden, who trained 1998 Arkansas Derby winner Victory Gallop.

As for the Kentcujky Derby prospects of Creator, Walden remarked: “I love his style and the way he’s been brought along. I think based on today’s performance that he would have a very good chance.”