2025 Kentucky Derby: Full Field, Odds, Expert Picks, and How to Watch
The 151st Kentucky Derby runs Saturday, May 3, at Churchill Downs. Get the full field, odds, expert picks, and viewing details.
Key Highlights:
The 2025 Kentucky Derby will captivate racing fans this Saturday, May 3, from the iconic Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky. Known as the “Run for the Roses,” this is the 151st running of America’s most prestigious horse race and the opening leg of the Triple Crown.
With a 20-horse field now finalized, all eyes are on post time, scheduled for 6:57 p.m. ET, with comprehensive coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
Top Horses to Watch in the 2025 Kentucky Derby
This year’s contenders include seasoned champions, surprise qualifiers, and international challengers:
- Journalism (3-1): The morning line favorite enters on a hot streak, winning the Santa Anita Derby and San Felipe Stakes. Trained by Michael McCarthy, he has drawn Post 8.
- Sovereignty (5-1): A dual stakes winner, including the Fountain of Youth, Sovereignty starts from Post 18 under Junior Alvarado.
- Sandman (6-1): Mark Casse’s colt showed dramatic closing speed in the Arkansas Derby but has raised maturity concerns despite drawing Post 17.
- Burnham Square (12-1): Topped Derby qualifying with 130 points. Has momentum with wins in the Blue Grass and Holy Bull Stakes. Will break from Post 9.
- Luxor Café (15-1): A Japanese-bred son of American Pharoah, fresh off a win in the Fukuryu Stakes. Enters from Post 7.
- Baeza (12-1): A late addition after scratches, Baeza draws Post 21 and brings international flair with Flavien Prat aboard.
Complete 2025 Kentucky Derby Field and Post Positions
| Post | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Citizen Bull | 20-1 |
| 2 | Neoequos | 30-1 |
| 3 | Final Gambit | 30-1 |
| 5 | American Promise | 30-1 |
| 6 | Admire Daytona | 30-1 |
| 7 | Luxor Café | 15-1 |
| 8 | Journalism | 3-1 |
| 9 | Burnham Square | 12-1 |
| 11 | Flying Mohawk | 30-1 |
| 12 | East Avenue | 20-1 |
| 13 | Publisher | 20-1 |
| 14 | Tiztastic | 20-1 |
| 15 | Render Judgment | 30-1 |
| 16 | Coal Battle | 30-1 |
| 17 | Sandman | 6-1 |
| 18 | Sovereignty | 5-1 |
| 19 | Chunk of Gold | 30-1 |
| 20 | Owen Almighty | 30-1 |
| 21 | Baeza | 12-1 |
Rodriguez (Post 4) and Grande (Post 10) have been scratched.
Bold Predictions from Experts
Jody Demling, a long-time horse racing analyst, is:
- Fading Sandman, citing lack of maturity despite a strong Arkansas Derby win.
- Backing Luxor Café, pointing to his American Pharoah bloodline and dominant Japanese form.
- Tipping a massive longshot, rumored to be Coal Battle, as a “buzz horse” on the backstretch.
His Derby-Oaks Double track record stands unmatched with 11 correct calls in 16 years.
How to Watch the 2025 Kentucky Derby
- Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
- Post Time: 6:57 p.m. ET
- TV Coverage: NBC
- Streaming Options: Peacock, YouTube TV, FuboTV, NBCSports.com
You can catch all the action across devices via NBC’s digital platforms.
What Happens Next
After the Derby, the Triple Crown moves forward with:
- Preakness Stakes: May 17, 2025 – Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore
- Belmont Stakes: June 7, 2025 – Belmont Park, New York
A strong Derby showing could propel one of these colts toward Triple Crown glory.
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