Sandman likes the distance, wins 2025 Arkansas Derby, now running for Kentucky Derby race.

It’s what Sandman’s been crying out for all meet at Oaklawn Park and the longstriding son of Tapit made the most of it Saturday in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby.

Sandman closed into a rapid-fire pace set by favorite Cornucopian and Speed King, making a four-wide move on the final turn and going on to a 2 1/2-length victory over Publisher. It was another 4 1/2 lengths back in third to Coal Battle.

Sandman put it all together in the richest race of the meet, after some close calls following troubled trips in the first two major 3-year-old preps at Oaklawn, the Southwest and Rebel. He finished a respective second and third in the 1 1/16-mile races that preceded the 1 1/8-mile test of the Arkansas Derby.

Cornucopian, trained by Baffert, and Speed King hooked up in an early speed dual, setting fractions of 22.46 seconds for the quarter-mile, 45.21 seconds for the half-mile and 1:10.37 for three-quarters before fading.

Coal Battle was the first to pass the front-runners before Sandman rallied past, drifting a bit along the way.

A $1.2 million son of Tapit, Sandman improved to 3-1-2 in eight career starts. He had been 0 for 4 in graded stakes, most recently finishing third in the Grade 2 Rebel on Feb. 23 at Oaklawn.

Sandman ($9.40) broke well on Saturday. He settled in the back of the second flight as Cornucopian and Speed King were in a race of their own, dueling through an opening quarter in 22.46 seconds, a half-mile in 45.21, and six furlongs in 1:10.37.

Cornucopian, who posted a 101 Beyer Speed Figure after winning his debut for Baffert last month at Oaklawn Park, was made the 7-5 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s $1.5 million, Grade 1 Arkansas Derby.

Baffert has won the Arkansas Derby five times, tied with Todd Pletcher for the most by any trainer.

The Arkansas Derby will offer 200 qualifying points — including 100 to the winner — toward the May 3 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Cornucopian, a $1.1 million son of Into Mischief, will be ridden by John Velazquez and drew the outside post in a field of nine.

Sandman (3-1 odds) and Coal Battle (7-2) are the other top choices in the Arkansas Derby. Coal Battle won the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes on Feb. 23 at Oaklawn, and Sandman was third.

Arkansas Derby post positions, jockeys, trainers, morning-line odds

Bob Baffert returned to Churchill Downs on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, after a three-year suspension was lifted.

How to watch Arkansas Derby 2025: Post time

Date: Saturday, March 29

Post time: 7:48 p.m. EDT Saturday at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Prize Fund, Purse: $1.5 million.

Grade: 1. Distance: 1 ⅛ miles.

Jockey weight: 121-124 pounds.

TV Channel: CNBC/FanDuel TV.

Live streaming: Peacock

Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 100 for first place, 50 for second place, 25 for third place, 15 for fourth place, 10 for fifth place.

2025 Arkansas Derby post positions, field, jockeys, trainers, morning-line odds

PP Horse, jockey, trainer, odds

1. Brereton’s Baytown, Marshall Mendez, Paul McEntee, 30-1

2. First Division, Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek, 20-1

3. Publisher, Flavien Prat, Steve Asmussen, 6-1

4. Bestfriend Rocket, Nik Juarez, D. Wayne Lukas, 20-1

5. Speed King, Rafael Bejarano, Ron Moquett, 15-1

6. Sandman, Jose Ortiz, Mark Casse, 3-1

7. Monet’s Magic, Luan Machado, Ben Colebrook, 20-1

8. Coal Battle, Juan Vargas, Lonnie Briley, 7-2

9. Cornucopian, John Velazquez, Bob Baffert, 7-5

What is the 2025 Kentucky Derby post time?

While not yet official, the post time for the 151st Kentucky Derby will be about 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.

How to watch 2025 Kentucky Derby

Last May, NBC Sports announced a partnership with Churchill Downs to present the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032.

The extension includes multiplatform rights to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Derby and Oaks Day programming, which will be presented on NBC, Peacock, USA Network and additional NBCU platforms.

You can stream the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Fubo and Peacock.

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