2025 Kentucky Derby
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The 151st Kentucky Derby▸ Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs
❏ The 151st Kentucky Derby ~ set for May 3 ~ 2025 ~ at Churchill Downs ~ promises to be an electrifying chapter in horse racing history. Known as the "Run for the Roses ~" this Grade 1 race is the first leg of the Triple Crown ~ drawing global attention with its $5 million purse and a competitive field of 19 3yo Thoroughbreds. With a sloppy track due to rain and a wide-open race ~ the stage is set for drama at 11:57 p.m. BST (6:57 p.m. ET). Watch the race unfold live on Racing TVs YouTube Channel viewable for free below ~ and dive into our runner-by-runner guide to the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
❖ Live Kentucky Derby 2025 Broadcast
❖ Race Overview
❏ The Kentucky Derby is more than a race▸ its a celebration of tradition ~ speed ~ and strategy. This years 1m2f contest on a dirt surface is complicated by sloppy conditions ~ testing the adaptability of horses and jockeys. The field ~ reduced from 20 after Grandes scratch due to a bruised foot ~ features three standout favourites ~ Journalism ~ Sandman ~ and Sovereignty ~ all with odds below 10-1. Journalism leads at 9/4 ~ but the race is anyones to claim ~ with longshots like Luxor Cafe and Baeza poised to surprise.
❖ Runners and Riders
| No. (Draw) | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds | Form | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (1) | Citizen Bull | Bob Baffert | Martin Garcia | 16/1 | 1311-14 | 107 |
| 2 (2) | Neoequos | S Joseph Jr | Luis Saez | 66/1 | 122-133 | 94 |
| 3 (3) | Final Gambit | B Cox | Luan Machado | 16/1 | 3-211 | 98 |
| 5 (5) | American Promise | D Lukas | Nik Juarez | 14/1 | 241-D51 | 95 |
| 6 (6) | Admire Daytona | Yukihiro Kato | C P Lemaire | 40/1 | 422-141 | - |
| 7 (7) | Luxor Cafe | Noriyuki Hori | Joao Moreira | 6/1 | 421-111 | - |
| 8 (8) | Journalism | Michael McCarthy | Umberto Rispoli | 9/4 | 311-11 | 112 |
| 9 (9) | Burnham Square | Ian Wilkes | Brian Jr Hernandez | 10/1 | 231-141 | 100 |
| 11 (11) | Flying Mohawk | Whitworth Beckman | Joseph Ramos | 50/1 | 6251-12 | 96 |
| 12 (12) | East Avenue | Brendan Walsh | Manuel Franco | 22/1 | 119-02 | 95 |
| 13 (13) | Publisher | Steven Asmussen | Irad Ortiz Jr | 28/1 | 332-642 | 99 |
| 14 (14) | Tiztastic | Steven Asmussen | Joel Rosario | 25/1 | 123-351 | 100 |
| 15 (15) | Render Judgment | Kenneth McPeek | J R Leparoux | 50/1 | 153-825 | 95 |
| 16 (16) | Coal Battle | Lonnie Briley | Juan Vargas | 28/1 | 711-113 | 96 |
| 17 (17) | Sandman | Mark Casse | Jose Ortiz | 7/1 | 531-231 | 103 |
| 18 (18) | Sovereignty | William Mott | Junior Alvarado | 9/2 | 421-12 | 100 |
| 19 (19) | Chunk of Gold | Ethan West | Jareth Loveberry | 33/1 | 1-222 | 98 |
| 20 (20) | Owen Almighty | Brian Lynch | Javier Castellano | 50/1 | 12-D216 | 103 |
| 21 (21) | Baeza | J Shirreffs | Flavien Prat | 10/1 | 9-212 | 106 |
❖ Top Contenders
Journalism (9/4 ~ Post 8)
❏ Journalism ~ trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli ~ is the standout favourite with a flawless four-race winning streak. His latest triumph at the Santa Anita Derby over Baeza showcased his versatility ~ having won at three different distances. With an official rating of 112 ~ the highest in the field ~ Journalisms draw in Post 8 offers a tactical advantage ~ though hell need to navigate a potentially congested mid-pack on the sloppy track. His resume screams champion ~ but the short price has sparked debate among bettors on X ~ with some questioning his value in a chaotic field.
Sandman (7/1 ~ Post 17)
❏ Sandman ~ under trainer Mark Casse and jockey Jose Ortiz ~ brings a compelling case at 7/1. Fresh off a victory at the Arkansas Derby ~ Sandman has finished in the top three in his last five races ~ showing consistency across varied conditions. Ortiz ~ a two-time Triple Crown winner ~ adds significant experience ~ having piloted horses below 10-1 to victory. Drawn in Post 17 ~ Sandmans outside position could allow a clean run alongside Sovereignty ~ potentially surging past slower starters. His ability to lead in diverse races makes him a serious threat.
Sovereignty (9/2 ~ Post 18)
❏ Sovereignty ~ trained by William Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado ~ sits at 9/2 with a strong recent record ~ two wins and a second in his last three outings. While less raced than Journalism or Sandman ~ his consistency in Derby preparation races marks him as a contender. Starting next to Sandman in Post 18 ~ Sovereignty could benefit from a fast early pace ~ using his stamina to challenge late. His odds reflect confidence ~ but hell need to overcome the wide draw to claim the roses.
❖ Other Notable Runners
- Luxor Cafe (6/1 ~ Post 7)▸ Trained by Noriyuki Hori and ridden by Joao Moreira ~ Luxor Cafe boasts three consecutive wins ~ including strong recent form figures (421-111). At 6/1 ~ hes a dangerous outsider with a favourable draw.
- Baeza (10/1 ~ Post 21)▸ A late entry after Rodriguez scratch ~ Baeza ~ trained by J Shirreffs and ridden by Flavien Prat ~ showed promise finishing second to Journalism at Santa Anita. His 10/1 odds and high rating (106) make him an acceptable pick ~ though the wide Post 21 is a challenge.
- Burnham Square (10/1 ~ Post 9)▸ With trainer Ian Wilkes and jockey Brian Jr Hernandez ~ Burnham Squares recent form (231-141) and middle draw make him a reasonable EW prospect.
❖ Live Odds and Betting Insights
❏ Powered by TwinSpires ~ live odds are shifting as punters react to the sloppy conditions and late scratches ~ including Grande and Rodriguez. Journalism remains the favourite ~ but Sandman and Sovereignty are gaining traction ~ with longshots like American Promise (14/1) and Citizen Bull (16/1) drawing interest for place bets. Check TwinSpires for real-time updates and expert picks to inform your wagers.
❖ Why This Derby Matters
❏ The 2025 Kentucky Derby is a wide-open affair ~ amplified by the unpredictable track conditions. The clash of Journalisms dominance ~ Sandmans experience ~ and Sovereigntys consistency sets up a decent race ~ which will be run on wet muddy ground this year, adding to the uncertainty. Will Journalism cement his legacy ~ or will an underdog like Luxor Cafe or Baeza steal the spotlight? The live broadcast on Racing TVs YouTube channel captures every moment ~ from the undercard to the main event ~ offering fans a front-row seat for free.
❏ For more insights ~ visit Racing TVs runner-by-runner guide. Join the conversation on X ~ where fans are sharing picks and debating the favourites. The Run for the Roses awaits ~ who will wear the garland?
❖ Post ~ Race Analysis
❖ Sovereignty Reigns Supreme in a Soaked and Stormy Kentucky Derby 2025
Churchill Downs ~ May 3 ~ 2025
The thunderclouds rolled in ~ but that didnt stop the drama. In the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby ~ it was Sovereignty who surged through the muck and rain to claim a gritty ~ unforgettable win in the big race.
▸ Race Conditions
- Track▸ Sloppy ~ soaked in heavy rain
- Distance▸ 1 1/4 miles
- Winning Time▸ 2▸02.31
- Crowd▸ Determined ~ drenched ~ draped in ponchos
❏ The Final Charge
- 🥇 Sovereignty (No. 18) ~ Odds▸ 7-1 ~ Jockey▸ Junior Alvarado ~ Trainer▸ Bill Mott ~ Owner▸ Godolphin Stables
- 🥈 Journalism (No. 8) ~ Odds▸ 5/2 (favorite) ~ Jockey▸ Umberto Rispoli ~ Trainer▸ Michael McCarthy
- 🥉 Baeza (No. 21) ~ Odds▸ 12/1 ~ Jockey▸ Flavien Prat ~ Trainer▸ John Shirreffs
- 4th▸ Final Gambit (No. 3)
- 5th▸ Owen Almighty (No. 20)
Sovereignty ran with heart ~ and mud caked across his hooves ~ holding off a strong late push from race favorite Journalism to win by 1 1/2 lengths. The son of the Florida Derby runner-up lived up to his potential, despite treacherous track conditions and fierce competition.
Things didnt go smoothly early for Journalism, who ran into traffic around the first turn. Forced wide ~ he fought hard down the stretch ~ only to be outgunned by Sovereigntys late burst.
The surprise package of the top three ~ Baeza made a bold move down the outside and showed real staying power.
❏ A Big Day for Godolphin
Sovereigntys win ended a 13-race Derby drought for powerhouse owners Godolphin Stables ~ the global operation owned by Sheikh Mohammed.
- Winning Weekend for Godolphin▸
- Friday▸ Good Cheer takes the Kentucky Oaks
- Saturday▸ Ruling Court wins the 2,000 Guineas in the UK
- Saturday▸ Sovereignty storms to Derby glory in the US
❏ Notable Stories from the Field
- Luxor Café ~ Sired by 2015 Triple Crown legend American Pharoah ~ A hopeful for Japan, aiming to be the nations first Derby winner ~ Faded late despite early promise
- Render Judgment ~ Raised on Dream Walkin Farms, owned by late country music star Toby Keith ~ The colts name was chosen by Keith before his passing, making its Derby run an emotional tribute
- Sandman ~ Entered with strong 9/2 odds ~ Finished outside the top spots despite high expectations
❏ Expert Forecast and Race Flow
NBC Sports analyst Al Bernstein had anticipated a blazing pace and potential upset ~ and the race delivered just that ~ sort of.
- Citizen Bull led through much of the early stages
- Neoequos briefly took command heading into the final turn
- Journalism made a move for glory
- But Sovereignty had the final word, surging late under a fierce ride from Alvarado
❏ A Comeback Ride for Junior Alvarado
Just days before the Derby, Junior Alvarado was recovering from a hospital visit and a fall during Thurby ~ a lesser-known race in the Derby week lineup. But when it mattered most ~ he delivered the ride of his life.
I cant even describe it, Alvarado said, still in disbelief. Im pretty sure my family is way over the moon right now.
The 2025 Kentucky Derby had everything▸ rain ~ heart ~ heritage and a champion who earned every inch of that final stretch. Sovereigntys victory was a reminder of why this race still captures imaginations ~ 151 years on.
Labels: USA_Racing
