Kentucky Derby Prep Races: 2025 Arkansas Derby

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Kentucky Derby Prep Races Odds and News

Cornucopian Leads Competitive Field in 2025 Arkansas Derby

As the 2025 Kentucky Derby approaches, the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park stands as one of the final and most important Kentucky Derby Prep Races.

Scheduled as the 13th of 14 races on Saturday’s card with a post time of 7:48 p.m. EDT, the 1 1/8-mile event will offer key qualifying points that will shake up current Kentucky Derby odds and play a significant role in Kentucky Derby betting.

Cornucopian, the $1.1 million Into Mischief colt trained by Bob Baffert, leads a field of nine 3-year-olds with prior Oaklawn experience. Cornucopian delivered a dominant debut on February 23, cruising to a 5 3/4-length victory with a 101 Beyer Speed Figure. He landed the outside post and entered as the 7-5 morning-line favorite. With Irad Ortiz Jr. stepping aside, Hall of Fame rider John Velázquez picks up the mount.

Baffert, who tied the Arkansas Derby training record with his fifth win last year with Muth, now shares the mark with Todd Pletcher, who does not have a runner in this year’s field. Confident in Cornucopian’s ability to handle the added distance, Baffert also acknowledges the challenge of taking on a seasoned group.

Rebel Stakes Rematch Highlights Depth

Five runners from the February 23 Rebel Stakes (G2) return for a rematch in the Arkansas Derby. Rebel winner Coal Battle, trained by Lonnie Briley and ridden by Juan P. Vargas, was made the second choice at 7-2. The Coal Front colt enters with momentum and a proven will to win.

Third-place Rebel finisher Sandman (3-1) looms large for trainer Mark Casse and jockey José Ortiz. Publisher, who ran fourth in the Rebel for Steve Asmussen, is 6-1 with Flavien Prat in the irons.

Longshots Brereton’s Baytown (30-1) and Speed King (15-1) round out the returning Rebel runners, looking to turn the tables after finishing eighth and tenth, respectively.

New Faces and Longshots in the Mix

Bestfriend Rocket and First Division, both exiting an allowance race on March 2 at Oaklawn, were listed at 20-1 on the morning line. Both enter off solid efforts at the 1 1/16-mile distance and will try graded stakes company for the first time.

Monet’s Magic, who finished fifth in the Southwest Stakes (G3) in January, is also 20-1. Trained by Ben Colebrook and ridden by Luan Machado, the son of Good Magic will need to take a significant step forward to contend.

Baffert Eyes Derby While Keeping Focus Local

Although Cornucopian is Baffert’s only starter in the Arkansas Derby, the Hall of Fame trainer still has other Derby hopefuls in his barn. Eclipse Award winner Citizen Bull is being pointed toward the Santa Anita Derby on April 5. Barnes likely needs a top-three finish in his final prep to qualify for Churchill Downs.

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