Today marks the 151st Kentucky Derby, the perfect occasion to sport those eye-catching hats and enjoy some mint juleps.
This iconic event kicks off the Triple Crown season, with the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes following in the coming weeks.
After a three-year suspension due to a scandal involving banned substances in 2021, trainer Bob Baffert is making his return to Churchill Downs this year. He’ll be entering the race with his horse, Citizen Bull.
Key details about the Kentucky Derby:
- Date and time: May 3rd at 6:57 PM
- Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
- Broadcast: NBC
- Streaming options: DirectV, Peacock
My pick for the winner? Kentucky Breadhorse Journalism. With four wins out of five races, he’s showing strong form going into today’s event.
This race, famously known as the fastest two minutes in sports, comes and goes quickly—so be ready!
When and where is the 2025 Kentucky Derby?
The Derby will take place on May 3rd, starting precisely at 6:57 PM, as it has every year since 1875 at Churchill Downs.
How to watch the 2025 Kentucky Derby for free:
If you’re not a cable subscriber, various live TV streaming services offer free trials that could cover your viewing needs. One option is DirectV, where you can start with a five-day free trial at $69.99/month. There are several subscription choices available, including NBC.
Alternative ways to stream the Kentucky Derby without cable:
Another economical way to catch the Derby is through a subscription to Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform. Current pricing is $7.99/month with ads, or $13.99 ad-free. They also provide annual plans at discounted rates.
Current favorites and betting odds for this year’s Kentucky Derby:
As of now, Twin Spires is listing the following betting odds, which may change leading up to the race:
| Post Position | Horse Name | Jockey | Trainer | Odds to Win |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Citizen Bull | Martin Garcia | Bob Baffert | 20-1 |
| 2 | Neo Cos | Flavien Plat | Saffie Joseph Jr. | 50-1 |
| 3 | The Final Gambit | Luang Machado | Brad Cox | 30-1 |
| 5 | America’s Promise | Nick Juarez | Wayne Lucas | 30-1 |
| 6 | Praise Daytona | Christophe Lemaire | Yukimizu River | 30-1 |
| 7 | Luxor Cafe | Joan Moreilla | Noriyuki Hori | 10-1 |
| 8 | Journalism | Humberto Rispoli | Michael McCarthy | 3-1 |
| 9 | Burnham Square | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Ian Wilkes | 8-1 |
| 11 | Flying Mohawk | Joseph Ramos | Whit Beckman | 50-1 |
| 12 | East Avenue | Manuel Franco | Brendan P. Walsh | 15-1 |
| 13 | Publisher | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Stephen Asmussen | 20-1 |
| 14 | Tiztastic | Joel Rosario | Stephen Asmussen | 15-1 |
| 15 | I’ll Make a Judgment | Julien Leparoux | Kenneth McPeek | 50-1 |
| 16 | Coal War | Juan Vargas | Ronnie Brisnet | 20-1 |
| 17 | Sandman | Jose Ortiz | Mark Casse | 5-1 |
| 18 | Sovereignty | Junior Alvarado | William Mott | 9-2 |
| 19 | A Lump of Gold | Jareth Loveberry | Ethan West | 20-1 |
| 20 | Owen Anomaty | Javier Castellano | Brian Lynch | 50-1 |
| 21 | Baeza | Flavien Prat | John A. Shirreffs | 50-1 |
