Former Coolmore shuttler Lion Heart has a leading candidate for the Kentucky Derby after his colt Line of David won the G1 Arkansas Derby on Saturday.

Line of David (3c Lion Heart–Emma’s Dilemma by Capote) scored an all-the-way victory in the $1 million event and is now qualified for the first leg of the Triple Crown at Churchill Downs on May 1.

Line of David was passed-in for $150,000 at the 2009 Ocala 2YO Sale.  He got mobile earlier this year with maiden and allowance wins at Santa Anita before trainer John Sadler sent him to Arkansas.

Lion Heart got him from a winning half-sister to multiple stakes winner Lil’s Boy (Danzig).  His dam line goes back four removes to champion sire Mr. Prospector (Raise a Native).

Line of David is a stablemate of Sidney’s Candy (Candy Ride) who won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) last week.  Sadler also has Crisp (El Corredor) heading for the G1 Kentucky Oaks on April 30.

Lion Heart (Tale of the Cat) shuttled from Kentucky to Australia for five seasons until his sale to the Turkish National Stud earlier this year.   His oldest southern hemisphere bred gallopers are three year-olds and there have been 29 winners to date from 60 starters.