who won arkansas derby

Sandman won the 2025 Arkansas Derby. This prestigious Grade 1 race, held at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, took place on Saturday, March 29, 2025—just yesterday as of today, March 30.

Race Highlights

Sandman, a strong contender at 3-1 odds, surged to victory under jockey Jose Ortiz , marking a breakthrough moment for the horse. Owned by a syndicate including D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and CJ Stable, the colt was trained by Mark Casse. The favorite, Cornucopian (7-5 odds), finished behind, adding drama to the finish.

"Sandman has taken home first place in the Arkansas Derby on Saturday."

This win earns Sandman key points toward the Kentucky Derby, positioning it as a rising star on the Road to the Roses, just weeks away. Ortiz even doubled up that day, also winning the Fantasy Stakes (G2) aboard filly Quietside.

Key Details

• Date : March 29, 2025
• Purse : $1.5 million (Grade 1)
• Distance : 1 1/8 miles on dirt
• Winner : Sandman (jockey: Jose Ortiz, trainer: Mark Casse)
• Notable : Part of the Kentucky Derby prep series at Oaklawn, known for producing champions like Smarty Jones and American Pharoah

Finish| Horse| Odds| Notes
---|---|---|---
1st| Sandman| 3-1| Dominant close from mid-pack 1
2nd| Cornucopian| 7-5| Favorite but couldn't hold off winner 1
Others| TBD| Varies| Full results pending official charts 5

Trending Buzz

Online chatter exploded post-race, with fans on racing forums hailing Sandman's "quiet closer" style—perfect for Churchill Downs chaos. Some speculate it could upset bigger names like past winners Muth (2024) or Mystik Dan. Others note Oaklawn's track favored speed early, but Sandman's stamina shone. As the latest news heats up, expect payout details and full order-of- finish soon from sites like TwinSpires or KentuckyDerby.com.

This victory quiets doubters after Sandman's quieter prep runs, storytelling a classic underdog tale in Thoroughbred racing's high-stakes world.

TL;DR : Sandman, ridden by Jose Ortiz, claimed the 2025 Arkansas Derby yesterday, boosting its Kentucky Derby hopes amid hot forum debates.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.