The first Saturday in May marks a highlight in the world of sports, and this year, there’s quite the buzz surrounding a “superhorse” poised to claim the Triple Crown. As the top thoroughbreds gather in Louisville, it’s gearing up to be an exciting day for racing fans across the nation.
The Kentucky Derby invites all horses aged three, but this year, Philly won’t be competing. The race will cover 10 furlongs, which translates to 1 1/4 miles, with a remarkable $5 million prize pool up for grabs in this Grade 1 Stakes event.
Kentucky Derby Position and Morning Line Odds
2025 Kentucky Derby
| Post Position | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Latest Odds | Morning Line Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Citizen Bull | Bob Baffert | Martin Garcia | 14-1 | 20-1 |
| 2 | Neo Cos | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Flavien Plat | 50-1 | 30-1 |
| 3 | The Final Gambit | Brad Cox | Luang Machado | 15-1 | 30-1 |
| 5 | America’s Promise | D. Wayne Lucas | Nick Juarez | 12-1 | 30-1 |
| 6 | Praise Daytona | Yukimizu River | Christophe Lemaire | 42-1 | 30-1 |
| 7 | Luxor Cafe | Noriyuki Hori | Joao Molira | 11-1 | 15-1 |
| 8 | Journalism | Michael McCarthy | Humberto Rispoli | 7-2 | 3-1 |
| 9 | Burnham Square | Ian Wilkes | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 16-1 | 12-1 |
| 11 | Flying Mohawk | Whit Beckman | Joe Ramos | 33-1 | 30-1 |
| 12 | East Avenue | Brendan Walsh | Manny Franco | 36-1 | 20-1 |
| 13 | Publisher | Steve Asmussen | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 28-1 | 20-1 |
| 14 | Tiztastic | Steve Asmussen | Joel Rosario | 19-1 | 20-1 |
| 15 | I’ll Make a Judgment | Kenny McPeak | Julien Leparoux | 14-1 | 30-1 |
| 16 | Coal War | Ronnie Briley | Juan Vargas | 27-1 | 30-1 |
| 17 | Sandman | Mark Cass | Jose Ortiz | 9-2 | 6-1 |
| 18 | Sovereignty | Bill Mott | Junior Alvarado | 9-1 | 5-1 |
| 19 | A Lump of Gold | Ethan West | Jareth Loveberry | 29-1 | 30-1 |
| 20 | Owen Anomaty | Brian Lynch | Javier Castellano | 40-1 | 30-1 |
| 21 | Baeza | John Silef | Flavien Plat | 18-1 | 12-1 |
2025 Kentucky Derby
*Rodriguez, identified as the fourth horse, injured himself on Thursday, while Grande, who was in the tenth post, faced the same fate on Friday.
Baeza will step in at No. 21 Post Position, competing from Gate 19.
Kentucky Derby Predictions
Interestingly, despite what you might expect from some, Journalism stands out, exuding energy and a certain flair, especially with that iconic rose blanket. Trainer Michael McCarthy has had him in top shape, tallying multiple races, including impressive wins recently at Los Al Futurity and the San Felipe Stakes.
While he only managed a $4 win at Santa Anita, don’t let that fool you. The races leading up involved some tight finishes, and jockey Amber Trispoli managed to pull through despite some close competition. If Rispoli can find a clear path from post 8, there’s a good chance for him to capitalize on the speed as the race unfolds.
Sovereignty, post 17, brings some serious closing speed to the table. Junior Alvarado’s strategy will likely focus on pacing himself, as he showcases similar closing capabilities. His recent performances included strong finishes in two major stakes.
The odds aren’t in favor of horses starting from gate 17, as history suggests only five have won from that position since races began at Churchill Downs. It’s crucial now for Bill Mott’s team to navigate smoothly early on—to avoid any hiccups.
One interesting detail to note is how Bob Baffert’s remaining horse, Citizen Bull, aims to set the pace right from the start. In recent races, he often finishes strong, even scoring impressively at the Robert B. Lewis Stakes. But his last outing at the Santa Anita Derby saw him trailing Journalism significantly.
A few horses are scratched, with Rodriguez being sidelined and Baeza benefiting from this change. After a solid second at the Santa Anita Derby, he’s poised for a strong showing with his recent performances really lifting his prospects.
As a bonus, Fan Duel Racing has rolled out a nice rebate offer for this weekend’s races at Churchill Downs. New customers can bet up to $500 on any track, and if they don’t win, they get bonus dollars for future wagers within a week.
How to Watch the Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby kicks off at 6:57 PM, with NBC starting its broadcast at 2:30 PM. For those interested in streaming, coverage will also be available on Peacock, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app for all the races on Derby Day.
