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Cornucopian could punch Bob Baffert's ticket back to Churchill Downs at the 2025 Arkansas Derby on Saturday. Baffert has won a record-tying five times at this Kentucky Derby prep race, including last year. However, 2024 Arkansas Derby winner Muth couldn't compete in the Run for the Roses since Baffert was serving a suspension stemming from the 2021 Kentucky Derby. He is now eligible to return and will hope for victory at the Arkansas Derby 2025, which has a post time of 7:48 p.m. ET. Cornucopian is the 7-5 favorite in the 2025 Arkansas Derby odds, followed by Sandman (3-1), Coal Battle (7-2) and Publisher (6-1). With talented three-year-olds set to enter the starting gate on Saturday, you'll want to see what Santa Anita-based racing reporter and insider Michelle Yu has to say before making any 2025 Arkansas Derby picks.

Few people in racing are as well-connected as Yu. An on-air host and reporter who has provided racing analysis for TVG, HRTV and the Breeders' Cup, Yu has spent a lifetime in racing. Prior to her television career, she worked for trainers Steve Asmussen and Ron Moquett. She also is married to Santa Anita-based trainer Ryan Hanson.

Yu also has tremendous handicapping chops. In the last two years, Yu nailed the winners of the Pegasus World Cup, Santa Anita Derby, Apple Blossom Handicap, Met Mile, Breeders' Cup Classic, Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Saudi Cup, and San Felipe Stakes, among others. She also nailed the race-day result of the Kentucky Derby in 2021 and 2023. Anyone who has followed her on these picks is way up.

Now, Yu has handicapped the 2025 Arkansas Derby lineup, made her picks and constructed her best bets. You can head to SportsLine now to see them.

Top 2025 Arkansas Derby predictions

One surprise: Yu is fading Cornucopian, even though he is the betting favorite at 7-5. The expert admits she won't leave this son of Into Mischief off of her ticket after watching him train at Santa Anita ahead of the Arkansas Derby 2025. However, his lack of experience in the 2025 Arkansas Derby field makes his 7-5 odds quite short.

Cornucopian broke his maiden at Oaklawn in February, but that victory is the only race on his resume. He will now "face a route, an outside draw and winners for the first time" as well as eight competitors who "have a ton of experience on him," Yu told SportsLine. You can see all of Yu's 2025 Arkansas Derby bets here.

How to make 2025 Arkansas Derby picks

Instead, Yu's top pick is a horse who is a "big strider who needs to be cleanly engaged earlier." She is including this horse in her 2025 Arkansas Derby bets, and so should you. She's sharing which 2025 Arkansas Derby horses to back at SportsLine.

So who wins the 2025 Arkansas Derby? And which horse shocks at Oaklawn Park? Visit SportsLine to see Yu's picks for the Arkansas Derby 2025, all from the Santa Anita-based racing insider who nailed the Breeders' Cup Classic, and find out. 

2025 Arkansas Derby odds, contenders

HorseOddsPicks
Brereton's Baytown30-1SEE PICKS
First Division20-1SEE PICKS
Publisher6-1SEE PICKS
Bestfriend Rocket20-1SEE PICKS
Speed King15-1SEE PICKS
Sandman3-1SEE PICKS
Monet's Magic20-1SEE PICKS
Coal Battle7-2SEE PICKS
Cornucopian7-5SEE PICKS