Arkansas

Enter Sandman: Colt Wins Arkansas Derby, KY Derby Bound

Published

1 year ago

March 29, 2025

Enter Sandman: Colt Wins Arkansas Derby, KY Derby Bound

For at least a little while, there is a new leader atop the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard with 129 qualifying points ahead of the May 3 classic: Sandman .

Rallying from behind a blistering pace set by Speed King and Cornucopian , the talented 3-year-old colt outkicked fellow closer Publisher by 2 1/2 lengths to capture the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) March 29 at Oaklawn Park.

Stewards briefly reviewed an erratic stretch run from Sandman, who drifted out under urging, before making no change to the order of finish. Sandman completed 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:50.08, paying $9.40 to win.

Coal Battle finished third, 4 1/2 lengths behind the runner-up. He was followed by favored Cornucopian in fourth and longshot Brereton’s Baytown in fifth.

The Arkansas Derby awarded Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale to its top five finishers. Sandman, who already had 29 points, now leads all other 3-year-olds on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, though he too could be passed by others racing next week.

No matter. Sandman is Kentucky Derby-bound, safely in the prestigious first leg of the Triple Crown under the points system that Churchill Downs officials use as a preference system when the Derby draws beyond its 20-horse maximum field size.

Jose Ortiz rode the winner and in a post-race interview on horseback shortly after the race, expressed his excitement to reunite with him in the Derby.

“When he entered the stretch, he exploded,” the jockey said of Sandman in the Arkansas Derby.

For a colt that did have much luck in two earlier stakes starts at Oaklawn Park earlier this year—Sandman had a disastrous start when runner-up in the Jan. 25 Southwest Stakes (G3) and left with too much to do in making a belated rally for third in the Feb. 23 Rebel Stakes (G2)—the table was set for him in the Arkansas Derby.

When front-running Speed King hooked up with the stretching-out second-time starter Cornucopian—opening up 8 1/2 lengths on Coal Battle in third by the half-mile call—the Arkansas Derby seemed primed for an off-the-pace runner to prevail.

“The farther they went (in battle), the more confident I was,” said Sandman’s trainer, Hall of Famer Mark Casse.

Splits of :22.46, :45.21, and 1:10.37 left the leaders gassed down the lane, though the lightly raced Cornucopian fought on admirably to earn a minor share.

Coal Battle, who had beaten Sandman in Rebel, was first to pounce, taking over approaching the stretch, but the diminutive, fast-accelerating colt could keep up with the longer-striding Sandman and fellow closer Publisher late in his first race beyond 1 1/16 miles. A length behind Sandman with a furlong remaining, he finished seven lengths behind him at the finish.

Coal Battle was a bit keen early but settled down entering the first turn to stalk the pace. The Arkansas Derby marked his first loss in six dirt races.

Based on historical trends, the runner-up with 60 overall points and show finisher with 95 points have sufficient Kentucky Derby points to gain entry into the Derby.

Sandman is a gray and/or roan by Tapit out of the Distorted Humor mare Distorted Music owned by D. J. Stables, St Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and CJ Stables.

The all-time leading sire by earnings, Tapit stands for $185,000 at Gainesway Farm in Kentucky.

Sandman’s owners purchased him for $1.2 million from the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Tom McCrocklin consigned him there as part of a complete dispersal for his breeder, Lothenbach Stables. Bob Lothenbach of Lothenbach Stables died in November 2023 at age 64.

Four of the dam’s five foals of racing age have raced, with three victorious. Sandman became his dam’s second graded stakes winner following She Can’t Sing , who captured the Chilukki Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs in 2022. The unraced foal is a 2-year-old Into Mischief colt.

The Arkansas Derby, the richest domestic Kentucky Derby prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, has produced eight Kentucky Derby winners, including last year’s Derby winner, Mystik Dan . Mystik Dan ran third in the Arkansas Derby.

Three horses have won both races: Sunny’s Halo (1983), Smarty Jones (2004), and Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh (2015).

Despite the blistering pace in Saturday’s Arkansas Derby, Sandman’s final time fell short of clocking over the past two years. Muth , last year’s winner, was timed in 1:49.54, and Angel of Empire ran 1:49.68 in taking the 2023 race.

For Casse, Sandman represents one of his best career chances to win the Derby after 10 defeats. The trainer has already won the other two legs of the Triple Crown, taking the 2019 Preakness Stakes (G1) with War Of Will and that year’s Belmont Stakes (G1) with Sir Winston .

2017 Arkansas Derby winner Classic Empire , the champion 2-year-old male of 2016, gave Casse his best Derby finish in running a troubled fourth in the 2017 Derby.

Casse believes Sandman is a horse who will relish Derby’s 1 1/4-mile distance.

“As Jose said, he wants you to get into a rhythm, and if you can get him into that rhythm, he’ll just go. Jose said he didn’t take a deep breath when he pulled up,” Casse noted

Video: Arkansas Derby (G1)

This story will be updated.

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Arkansas

ARKANSAS A-Z: Band formed by faculty members of what is now UCA | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

4 hours ago

July 11, 2026

Press Room

ARKANSAS A-Z: Band formed by faculty members of what is now UCA | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Five science professors formed the Professors, a bluegrass/folk band that performed for 44 years, beginning in 1967 when Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway was transitioning to State College of Arkansas, precursor of the University of Central Arkansas.

The band brought to life the “Friendliest College in Arkansas” slogan of the campus during those years, with shows that included a healthy dose of fun and humor along with the folk and bluegrass. One student remarked, “I think they are funny. I enjoy hearing them, because they enjoy themselves … . I didn’t know science professors can have so much fun.” They performed all over the state at fundraising events, football games, Kiwanis meetings and ceremonies, as well as at Conway’s first Toad Suck Daze in 1982. All of the band’s members were born and raised in rural Arkansas.

Ralva Bass, professor of physics, taught both physics and math at ASTC and was from Butlerville. Bass served in World War II and taught high school math in Newport in Jackson County before arriving at ASTC in 1958. He served for one year as interim chair of physics in 1964, and he coached the bowling team on campus. Bass played the rhythm guitar in the band.

Neal Buffaloe, professor and chair of biology, was born in Leachville; he was an author and a minister and began at ASTC in 1957. His service to the campus was honored by two former students, who established the Neal D. Buffaloe Laboratory for Science Education in the Lewis Science Center. Buffaloe, who had formal training in music and played the viola for UCA’s Little Symphony Orchestra, played fiddle in the band.

Bluegrass band the Professors in front of Main Hall at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, where the band members taught science: (Left to right): Denver Prince, Neal Buffaloe, Faril Simpson, Ralva Bass and Jerry Manion. (Courtesy of Dr. Robert Mauldin)

Jerry Manion, professor and chair of chemistry, was from Beebe, where he was the 1958 high school valedictorian; he started work at ASTC in 1965 and remained employed at UCA until his death in 2014. In 1965, Manion began practicing with the band in one of the chemistry labs or the radioisotope laboratory in Lewis Science Center. Playing the banjo, the guitar and some mandolin as well as singing tenor vocals, Manion became the leader and chief humorist of the band. He also played with the UCA Dixieland Band for more than 35 years.

Denver Prince, professor and chair of physics, was from Magnet Cove. Prince taught high school math, chemistry and physics before joining ASTC’s faculty in 1959. Prince was a strong supporter of UCA athletics, and the Prince Center on UCA’s campus was named in his honor. Prince played the upright bass, but in the early days of the band, it was a washtub bass. Prince helped on chorus as well.

Faril Simpson of Grant County began at ASTC as a professor of chemistry in 1958. He had previously served in World War II and taught at Hall High School in Little Rock. He served as interim chair of chemistry at ASTC in 1964. A lover of old folk music and gospel songs, Simpson had a beautiful, deep voice, and provided lead vocals. He also played rhythm guitar and harmonica.

Under the recording label Wildfire Records, the Professors recorded two albums: “Introducing the Professors” (1972) and “Remember Me” (1985). In addition, they recorded the singles “Salty Dog Blues” (1971), “When It’s Time for the Whippoorwill to Sing” (1971), “Weeds in the Tater Patch” (1972), “Gonna Lay It By” (1972), “Faulkner County” (1973) and “Arkansas Hornpipe” (1973). — Robert Mauldin

This story is taken from the online Encyclopedia of Arkansas, a project of the Central Arkansas Library System. Visit the site at encyclopediaofarkansas.net.

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Arkansas

Office of Keep Arkansas Beautiful Now Part of the ARDOT

Published

14 hours ago

July 11, 2026

Press Room

The Arkansas Department of Transportation is now the home of the Office of Keep Arkansas Beautiful following the passage of Act 148 of the 2026 Fiscal Session.

The act, sponsored by Sen. Mark Johnson (R-Little Rock), transferred the duties and responsibilities of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission to the new Office of Keep Arkansas Beautiful within ARDOT. The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission had previously operated under the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

This transition brings Keep Arkansas Beautiful’s community-focused programs under the same roof as ARDOT. According to a press release, working together as one organization will create new opportunities to align litter prevention and beautification efforts along the State’s Highway System.

“This partnership creates opportunities to think beyond litter,” McKenzie McMath Coronel, administrator of the Office of Keep Arkansas Beautiful, said. “Together, we can build on that work by enhancing the beauty of Arkansas through roadside wildflowers, scenic byways, community beautification, and other initiatives that make our highways and public spaces places people are proud of.”

READ ALSO: NPC Highlights Workforce Partnerships During Visit From U.S. Education Leaders

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