The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, presented by Woodford Reserve, is set to take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs. This Grade I, 1 ¼-mile dirt race features a $5 million purse, with 20 of the top 3-year-old Thoroughbreds competing for the most prestigious prize in American horse racing.
Race Details
- Track: Churchill Downs
- Distance: 1 ¼ miles (Dirt)
- Purse: $5,000,000
- Age Eligibility: 3-year-olds
- Post Time: 6:57 PM ET
Horses, Jockeys, Trainers & Pedigrees
1. Citizen Bull (USA) – Into Mischief x No Joke
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
- Jockey: Martin Garcia
- Owner: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC, and Donovan, Catherine
- Recent Form: Has shown strong closing speed, finishing second in his last outing.
2. Neoequos (USA) – Neolithic x Bold Birdie
- Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Owner: C2 Racing Stable LLC, Ian Parsard, Shining Stables LLC, Stefania Farms LLC, Ken T. Reimer, Paul Braverman, and Timothy Pinch
- Recent Form: Won his last race at Gulfstream Park, displaying late acceleration.
3. Final Gambit (USA) – Not This Time x Pachinko
- Trainer: Brad H. Cox
- Jockey: Luan Machado
- Owner: Juddmonte
- Recent Form: Career-best victory last time out, transitioning well to longer distances.
4. Rodriguez (USA) – Authentic x Cayala
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
- Jockey: Mike E. Smith
- Owner: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC, and Donovan, Catherine
- Recent Form: Consistent performer, placed second in his last outing.
5. American Promise (USA) – Justify x Tapella
- Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
- Jockey: Nik Juarez
- Owner: BC Stables LLC
- Recent Form: Strong finisher, placed fourth in last race.
6. Admire Daytona (JPN) – Drefong x Ice Pastel
- Trainer: Yukihiro Kato
- Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
- Owner: Junko Kondo
- Recent Form: Mid-pack finisher in last race, needs improvement.
7. Luxor Cafe (USA) – American Pharoah x Mary’s Follies
- Trainer: Noriyuki Hori
- Jockey: Joao Moreira
- Owner: Koichi Nishikawa
- Recent Form: Won his last race at Santa Anita, proving his ability at this distance.
8. Journalism (USA) – Curlin x Mopotism
- Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy
- Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
- Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert V. LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, and Derrick Smith
- Recent Form: Blue Grass Stakes winner, showing strong form.
9. Burnham Square (USA) – Liam’s Map x Linda
- Trainer: Ian R. Wilkes
- Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr.
- Owner: Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC
- Recent Form: Runner-up in the Blue Grass Stakes, proving his ability at Churchill Downs.
10. Grande (USA) – Curlin x Journey Home
- Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
- Jockey: John R. Velazquez
- Owner: Repole Stable
- Recent Form: Finished third in the Florida Derby, showing late acceleration.
11. Flying Mohawk (USA) – Karakontie x Bonbons Fleur
- Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
- Jockey: Joseph D. Ramos
- Owner: Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing LLC, and Kaleta Racing
- Recent Form: Has shown flashes of speed but needs a breakout performance.
12. East Avenue (USA) – Medaglia d’Oro x Dance Music
- Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh
- Jockey: Manuel Franco
- Owner: Godolphin LLC
- Recent Form: Finished second in the Blue Grass Stakes, proving his ability at Churchill Downs.
Race Analysis & Predictions
Top Contenders:
- Journalism (3/1 odds) – Blue Grass Stakes winner, showing strong form.
- Burnham Square (12/1 odds) – Runner-up in the Blue Grass Stakes, proving his ability at Churchill Downs.
- Grande (20/1 odds) – Florida Derby third-place finisher, showing late acceleration.
Dark Horses:
- Rodriguez (12/1 odds) – Consistent performer, could surprise.
- Luxor Cafe (15/1 odds) – Has shown late acceleration, making him a threat.
2025 Kentucky Derby Odds
HORSE ODDS
Journalism + 300
Sovereignty + 700
Sandman + 1000
Burnham Square + 1000
Tappan Street + 1200
Rodriguez + 1400
Luxor Café + 1400
Citizen Bull + 2000
Baeza + 2000
Tiztastik + 2200
American Promise + 2200
Grande + 2200
East Avenue + 2500
Coal Battle + 2500
Final Gambit + 2500
