Tipsheet: 2025 Arkansas Derby

A total of nine three-year-olds will go 1 1/8 miles at Oaklawn Park in Saturday’s $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1). The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers of the heat with qualifying points towards the Run for the Roses on a 100-50-25-15-10 structure. 

2025 Arkansas Derby Picks

• #8 Coal Battle (7-2)
• #6 Sandman (3-1)
• #9 Cornucopian (7-5)

2025 Arkansas Derby Wagers

• $15 win and place #8 Coal Battle
• $10 exacta box 6-8
• 30-cent superfecta 6,8 with 6,8,9 with 3,6,8,9 with all

2025 Arkansas Derby Contenders

Click on each horse name to add them to your stable. Never miss a race they're a part of again!

#1 BRERETON’S BAYTOWN (30-1): Paul McEntee trainee gets a good draw on the fence, but the gelding was a non-factor in the Rebel S. (G2) at 188-1 odds last time, and he would be a major surprise in his second graded appearance. Marshall Mendez will ride. 

#2 FIRST DIVISION (20-1): Interesting sort from the Kenny McPeek barn will make his stakes bow in this one and has exotics appeal. The bay son of Omaha Beach rallied into a soft pace to be an allowance second in his latest venture, and the colt will appreciate the added distance on this occasion. Brian Hernandez, Jr. has the call. 

#3 PUBLISHER (6-1): American Pharoah colt rallied to be a good fourth in the Rebel S. (G2) on the oval last time, and the maiden will be equipped with blinkers for the first time in this spot. The Steve Asmussen charge is hard to back on top, but he is improving and the top-three contender will also have Flavien Prat in the silks once again, as well. This Kentucky-bred colt will be rallying from well back in the early going. 

#4 BESTFRIEND ROCKET (20-1): Chestnut son of Curlin was a game allowance winner on the grounds in his first try for D. Wayne Lukas and could grab a share with a forward move second off the shelf. The $575,000 purchase has won three of his four races since having blinkers added, and I expect him to improve on Saturday with Nik Juarez in the irons. The colt will track the pace from the second or third flight to the top of the lane. 

#5 SPEED KING (15-1): Speedy Southwest S. (G3) upsetter was through at the top of the lane in the Rebel S. (G2) but will show more on this day. The Ron Moquett trainee has sizzled two bullet morning drills in succession leading up to this one and will be sent as the inside pace of the race by Rafael Bejarano. This Volatile colt could be dangerous if left alone early on. 

#6 SANDMAN (3-1): Prime Triple Crown contender has rallied to hit the board in a pair of graded stakes tilts on the oval as of late, and the son of Tapit rates a big chance in his nine-furlong debut. The Mark Casse pupil had displayed a fine turn of foot in each of his trio of runs at the current meeting, and I expect him to be a menacing figure inside the final panel with Jose Ortiz in the silks. 

#7 MONET’S MAGIC (20-1): Ben Colebrook trainee was an even fifth in the Southwest S. (G3) in his most recent appearance and comes in fresh for this one as one to consider at a price. This dark bay son of Good Magic has to get faster, and if he does move up, then the colt could grab a share late with Luan Machado in the stirrups. 

#8 COAL BATTLE (7-2): Horse to beat has been impressive in a pair of stakes races at the meeting, led by a fine score in the Rebel S. (G2) for trainer Lonnie Briley. The dark bay son of Coal Front has a versatile running style, and he gives every impression of a sophomore that will thrive at 1 1/8 miles, too. The dark bay Kentucky-bred is 5-for-5 on the dirt in his career and looms large beneath regular pilot Juan Vargas. 

#9 CORNUCOPIAN (7-5): Wildcard in the field was super impressive in a six-furlong romp on debut on the oval and takes a massive class hike today. The $1.1 million son of Into Mischief is a half-brother to a Grade 1 winner and could be the real deal, but he’s being asked to do a lot in just his second lifetime run. The bay will likely force the pace from the outside while tracking in second to the top of the lane under John Velazquez.