The 89th Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park is a premier prep race for the Kentucky Derby, with a rich purse of $1.5 million and top five finishers earning Derby points. The field includes favorites like Coal Battle and Cornucopian, with the race set to be broadcast on CNBC, FS1, and FanDuel TV with a post time of 7:48 p.m. ET.
Among the contenders are horses like Brereton’s Baytown, First Division, and Publisher, each with their own strengths and challenges. Bestfriend Rocket, Speed King, and Sandman are also in the mix, with each horse having unique running styles and pedigrees that could impact their performance in the Arkansas Derby.
Coal Battle, a standout in the field, has been impressive in recent races and is a strong contender for the Arkansas Derby. Cornucopian, a buzz horse for the Kentucky Derby, will be making only his second career start in the race, with high expectations surrounding his potential. The outcome of the Arkansas Derby will depend on how these top contenders perform and whether any surprises arise during the race.
