Meet the Contenders: 2025 Arkansas Derby
Coal Battle wins the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
March 25th, 2025
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your Stable Alerts.
Click on each horse's name to add them to your stable. Never miss a race they're a part of again!
TwinSpires
#1 Brereton’s Baytown *
Pro: Has run best over wet tracks, something to consider if conditions arise.
Con: Appears significantly overmatched from class and speed perspective.
Bestfriend Rocket wins against First Division at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#2 First Division **
Pro: Has run well in all three starts to date, albeit at lower levels.
Con: Remains with potential, but this looks too tough a spot at this point.
Publisher working at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#3 Publisher **
Pro: Troubled starts proved costly in two earlier preps; adds blinkers.
Con: Maiden has promised more than delivered since his debut.
Bestfriend Rocket wins against First Division at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#4 Bestfriend Rocket **
Pro: First start for hot Lukas barn a photo-finish allowance win.
Con: Lacks stakes experience, so must improve considerably.
Speed King wins the Southwest S. at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
#5 Speed King ***
Pro: Southwest (G3) hero threw clunker in Rebel (G2); has rebound potential.
Con: Perhaps reverts to front-running tactics, but can he keep up with Cornucopian?
Sandman (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Chelsea Durand)
#6 Sandman ****
Pro: Solid tries in Southwest, Rebel; just needs some pace help.
Con: Can’t afford to fall too far behind again, even at this longer distance.
Sandman finished as the fifth favorite in @KentuckyDerby Future Wager Pool 4 and will return this weekend in the Rebel Stakes @OaklawnRacing.
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 19, 2025
You can add him to your TwinSpires Stable Alerts with the link below!
Never Miss A Winner ⤵️ https://t.co/khp18TGRUK pic.twitter.com/eEFbidW8HS
Monet's Magic wins at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
#7 Monet’s Magic **
Pro: Outran expectations when splitting Rebel field at 44-1.
Con: Needs to take a step forward, though more likely needs a softer spot.
Coal Battle extended his winning streak to four in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#8 Coal Battle *****
Pro: Blue collar hero of this cycle has won three straight preps, including Rebel.
Con: Although undefeated on dirt, speed figures haven’t stood out so far.
Cornucopian winning his debut at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#9 Cornucopian ****
Pro: Off sparkling debut win on Rebel Day, $1.1m Into Mischief colt could be any kind.
Con: Miserly odds await on horse taking a big class hike and stretching out 3f.
