Arkansas

Kentucky Derby prep: Arkansas Derby standout speed figures

Published

10 months ago

March 25, 2025

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.

Post	Horse	Beyer*	TFUS*	Brisnet	HRN
1	Brereton’s Baytown	72	96	88	101
2	First Division	82	97	85	106
3	Publisher	92	110	93	112
4	Bestfriend Rocket	82	94	85	106
5	Speed King	93	120	92	113
6	Sandman	92	114	95	119
7	Monet’s Magic	84	109	90	106
8	Coal Battle	91	114	98	118
9	Cornucopian	101	120	100	128

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

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Arkansas

One more list of wishes for Arkansas in 2026 | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

7 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

One more list of wishes for Arkansas in 2026 | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Rex Nelson

rnelson@adgnewsroom.com

Rex Nelson has been senior editor and columnist at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette since 2017, and he has a biweekly podcast called “Southern Fried.”

After graduating from Ouachita Baptist University in 1981, he was a sportswriter for the Arkansas Democrat for a year before becoming editor of Arkadelphia’s Daily Siftings Herald. He was the youngest editor of a daily in Arkansas at age 23. Rex was then news and sports director at KVRC-KDEL from 1983-1985.

He returned to the Democrat as assistant sports editor in 1985. From 1986-1989, he was its Washington correspondent. He left to be Jackson T. Stephens’ consultant.

Rex became the Democrat-Gazette’s first political editor in 1992, but left in 1996 to join then-Gov. Mike Huckabee’s office. He also served from 2005-09 in the administration of President George W. Bush.

From 2009-2018, he worked stints at the Communications Group, Arkansas’ Independent Colleges and Universities, and Simmons First National Corp.

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Arkansas

USA Truck returns to private Arkansas-based ownership | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

19 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

USA Truck returns to private Arkansas-based ownership | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Dylan Sherman

dsherman@nwaonline.com

Dylan Sherman is a business reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He is based in Northwest Arkansas and focuses on Tyson Foods Inc. and the transportation industry. A graduate of the University of Missouri, he has been with the newspaper since 2023.

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Arkansas

Arkansas Court of Appeals | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas Court of Appeals | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

The Arkansas Court of Appeals released opinions Wednesday. The court’s ruling and the names of the cases are reprinted here. The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov.

PROCEEDINGS OF Jan. 7, 2026

CHIEF JUDGE N. MARK KLAPPENBACH

CR-23-821. Kenneth Steward v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Gladwin and Brown, JJ., agree.

JUDGE ROBERT J. GLADWIN

CR-25-24. Bryce Anderson v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Virden and Harrison, JJ., agree.

JUDGE CASEY R. TUCKER

CV-24-537. Flywheel Energy Production, LLC v. Van Buren County, Arkansas; and Van Buren County Judge Dale James, in His Official Capacity as Van Buren County Judge, from Van Buren County Circuit Court. Reversed and dismissed. Abramson and Harrison, JJ., agree.

JUDGE WENDY SCHOLTENS WOOD

CV-24-209. LRS South, LLC v. Benton County Solid Waste Management District and the Benton County Solid Waste Management District Board, from Benton County Circuit Court. Reversed and remanded. Hixson and Murphy, JJ., agree.