The Bob Baffert-trained Cornucopian will try to qualify for the Kentucky Derby on just two career starts when he leaves the starting gate in the 2025 Arkansas Derby on Saturday at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. A $1.1 million purchase two years ago, Cornucopian has raced only once in his career, a six-furlong win at Oaklawn on Feb. 23. On Saturday, he is the 7-5 favorite in the 2025 Arkansas Derby odds. Sandman (3-1), Coal Battle (7-2) and Publisher (6-1) round out the four top favorites in the nine-horse 2025 Arkansas Derby field. Post time for the $1.5 million race is 7:48 p.m. ET.

With talented but inexperienced 3-year-old horses 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.

For the 2025 Arkansas Derby, Yu has made her picks and constructed her bets. One surprise: Yu's top pick is not Cornucopian, even though he is the 7-5 favorite! "With only one career start, he will face a route, an outside draw and winners for the first time," Yu told Sportsline. Yu prefers another horse over Cornucopian.

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. You ABSOLUTELY NEED to see her picks before locking in any of your own.

So which surprising horse wins the 2025 Arkansas Derby? And how has Yu constructed her wagers? ... Join SportsLine right now to get Michelle Yu's 2025 Arkansas Derby picks, all from the racing insider who nailed the Breeders' Cup Classic and hit the winners of the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Saudi Cup and San Felipe Stakes this year!