The 151st Kentucky Derby took place on May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, showcasing a fierce lineup of 19 top thoroughbreds competing for the prestigious ‘Run for the Roses’ title, which is the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. This year’s event is set to be thrilling, featuring a mix of experienced racers and hopeful underdogs, all guided by some of the finest trainers and jockeys in the game.
Initially planned for 20 horses, the lineup dropped to 19 after a few scratches from minor injuries, including the well-known withdrawal of Rodriguez. The horses are set to line up in post positions 1 to 21, although some numbers are missing because of the scratches. The race is set to kick off around 6:57 p.m. ET, a classic evening start perfect for prime-time watching.
Leading Contenders and Their Profiles
Journalism (Post 8, Odds 3-1)
The morning-line favorite, Journalism, is getting a lot of buzz after winning three graded stakes wins in a row. With Michael McCarthy training and Umberto Rispoli in the saddle, this colt is definitely the one to watch. His impressive track record and steady performance have made him the top pick, showing that both bettors and experts have high hopes for him.
Sandman (Post 17, Odds 6-1)
Sandman, trained by Mark Casse and ridden by José Ortiz, is coming into the Derby after a strong win at the Arkansas Derby. He’s known for his ability to make a late push in races, and being a son of Tapit, he’s seen as a serious contender. That said, some experts are a bit wary about his maturity on the track, hinting that he might need a bit more experience before he can clinch a Derby victory.
Sovereignty (Post 18, Odds 5-1)
Sovereignty, trained by William Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado, is a tough contender with good odds. His recent performances before the Derby have been impressive, making him a horse to keep an eye on for possible surprise wins.
Luxor Cafe (Post 7, Odds 15-1)
Luxor Cafe, a bit of a dark horse, is a colt from Japan trained by Noriyuki Hori and ridden by João Moreira. He’s the offspring of American Pharoah, the 2015 Triple Crown champ, and has been on a winning streak with four straight victories, three of which are stakes races. Given his strong lineage and impressive recent showings, he seems capable of tackling the Derby’s 1 1/4-mile distance and might just pull off a surprise.
Other Noteworthy Horses
Citizen Bull (Post 1, Odds 20-1): Citizen Bull, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Martin Garcia, is a tough contender with great odds, recognized for his speed and endurance.
Neoequos (Post 2, Odds 30-1): Neoequos, a longshot trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. and ridden by Flavien Prat, is sired by Karakontie, a name that comes from a Mohawk word meaning ‘a flying sun blazing across the sky,’ representing the chance for greatness against all odds.
Final Gambit (Post 3, Odds 30-1): Final Gambit, trained by Brad Cox and ridden by jockey Luan Machado, is another strong competitor with good odds and a solid track record.
American Promise (Post 5, Odds 30-1): Trained by Wayne Lukas and ridden by jockey Nik Juarez, American Promise is the offspring of Blame and has a name that suggests big hopes.
Admire Daytona (Post 6, Odds 30-1): Admire Daytona, a horse trained by Yukihiro Kato in Japan, is a dark horse that could surprise the favorites.
Burnham Square (Post 9, Odds 12-1): Burnham Square, trained by Ian Wilkes and ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., is a strong contender in the middle of the pack.
Flying Mohawk (Post 11, Odds 30-1): Joseph Ramos, the youngest jockey out there, is riding this underdog trained by Whit Beckman. The name and bloodline of Flying Mohawk show off its speed and agility.
East Avenue (Post 12, Odds 20-1): East Avenue, named after the Godolphin training center in Saratoga, New York, is trained by Brendan Walsh and has Manuel Franco as its jockey.
Publisher and Tiztastic (Posts 13 & 14, Odds 20-1 & 20-1): These horses, both trained by Steven Asmussen, bring some serious experience to the race with their skilled jockeys, Irad Ortiz Jr. and Joel Rosario.
Render Judgment, Coal Battle, Chunk of Gold, Owen Almighty, and Baeza: These horses complete the lineup, each with their own strengths and the ability to influence the race results.
Jockeys and Trainers to Watch
The 2025 Derby showcases a mix of jockeys, featuring six former winners, five newcomers, and nine who have raced but haven’t claimed victory yet. Joseph Ramos, at just 25, is the youngest jockey in the lineup, riding Flying Mohawk. With trainers like Bob Baffert, Mark Casse, and Steven Asmussen, who all have a wealth of experience and several Derby wins under their belts, the competition is sure to be fierce.
The 2025 Kentucky Derby is set to be an exciting event featuring a mix of established stars and up-and-coming contenders. With Journalism as a top pick and the interesting entries of Luxor Cafe and Sandman, this race captures the thrill and unpredictability that make horse racing so special. Fans and bettors will be eagerly watching as these 19 horses race down the Churchill Downs track, all aiming to make their mark in Derby history.