Arkansas Derby : Demons Begone Scores Easy 3 1/2-Length Win

Demons Begone stalked Lookinforthebigone until early in the stretch and then went on to an easy 3 1/2-length victory in the $500,000 Arkansas Derby, establishing himself as a legitimate contender for the May 2 Kentucky Derby.

Demons Begone, who has won his only three starts of the year, finished the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47 3/5, the second-fastest time in the 51-year history of the race. Althea set the race record of 1:46 4/5 in 1984.

Jockey Pat Day said he used his whip only once, for a light tap.

“I didn’t hit him hard enough to kill a fly,” Day said. “I hope the Humane Society watched that. They ought to love me.”

Demons Begone, who is scheduled to fly to Louisville today, carried 123 pounds and spotted his five rivals from five to eight pounds.

Demons Begone, the 1-5 favorite of the crowd of 66,301, returned $2.40 and $2.20. Lookinforthebigone paid $2.20. There was no show betting.

Owned by the Loblolly Stable of Arkansas lumberman John Ed Anthony and trained by Phil Hauswald, Demons Begone can earn a $1 million bonus if he wins the Kentucky Derby. Oaklawn Park offers the bonus to the owner of any thoroughbred who wins the Rebel Stakes, the Arkansas Derby and the Run for the Roses.

Lookinforthebigone, with Gary Stevens aboard, took the lead by himself. Day had Demons Begone fourth the first time under the finish line, but the colt was second, a couple of lengths off the leader, in the back stretch.

Day sent the son of Elocutionist after the Wayne Lukas-trained Lookinforthebigone and he had little trouble going past the leader. Lookinforthebigone was almost two lengths in front of You’re No Bargain.

Lookinforthebigone went the first half-mile in 46 4/5 seconds and ran a 24-second third quarter. Demons Begone ran the final one-eighth mile in a solid 12 seconds.

Demons Begone earned $300,000 to push his earnings to $573,394.