Kentucky Derby prep: Arkansas Derby standout speed figures

The Kentucky Derby 2025 trail stops at Oaklawn for the final time Saturday for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby at 1 1/8 miles. Nine 3-year-old colts have entered for the 100-50-25-15-10 points available to the top five finishers.

The Arkansas Derby is one of the most important preps, producing eight Kentucky Derby winners since 1983. Triple Crown winner American Pharoah used the Hot Springs strip as the launchpad for his historic campaign in 2015. Last year, Mystik Dan finished third behind Muth before holding off Sierra Leone and Forever Young to win the 150th Kentucky Derby.

This year's field includes Coal Battle, winner of the Rebel (G2), and Speed King, the Southwest Stakes (G3) winner. Bob Baffert has the impressive maiden winner Cornucopian in the mix for his second career start. Sandman, runner-up in both the Southwest and Rebel, tries again at the stretchout. 

On the speed-figure scales, Cornucopian is far and away the fastest in the field. The Into Mischief colt has triple-digit figures across the board. He received a 101 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form for his debut win, and the next fastest in the field is a 93 from Speed King. He shares the highest TimeformUS figure, 120, with Speed King. The next-highest Brisnet Speed Rating after his 100 is a 98 from Coal Battle. His 128 Horse Racing Nation speed figure is 10 points faster than the next fastest, a 118 from Coal Battle.

With dominant speed ratings it is a no-brainer for connections to step him up to stakes company in his second start. But Cornucopian had the race all his way in that maiden special weight, and experienced runners here could give him all he can handle.

Here are the top lifetime speed figures for the Arkansas Derby entrants.

*Beyer and TimeformUS are presented courtesy of Daily Racing Form.