The 151st Running of the Kentucky Derby Could be Wide Open to Win
The 151st Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. This iconic race marks the first leg of the Triple Crown and boasts a record $5 million purse. Post time is scheduled for 6:57 p.m. ET, with live coverage on NBC, Peacock, and NBCSports.com.
The horse racing world will have all eyes at Churchill Downs on Saturday. The Southern Belles and their oversized, and over-priced, hats will be on full display. The Mint Juleps will be flowing. It is time to kick off the race for the Triple Crown with the “fastest two-minutes in sports”. The “Run for the Roses” is a key moment to mark the end of spring betting. It takes us full throttle into summer.
Top Contenders & Favorites for the Kentucky Derby
Journalism (+275)
The morning-line favorite, Journalism, enters the Derby with four consecutive victories, showcasing tactical versatility and a strong pedigree. Trained by Michael W. McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Journalism has accumulated 122.5 qualifying points.
Sovereignty (+600)
Trained by William I. Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado, Sovereignty boasts a lineage that includes Seattle Slew and Empire Maker. With 110 qualifying points, Sovereignty is a strong contender.
Sandman (+1000)
Winner of the Grade I Arkansas Derby, Sandman, trained by Mark E. Casse and ridden by José Ortiz, has earned 129 qualifying points, making him a formidable competitor.
Notable Contenders & Longshots
Rodriguez (+1600)
Trained by Bob Baffert, Rodriguez secured victory in the Grade II Wood Memorial. With 121.25 qualifying points, he is a notable contender.
Citizen Bull (+2000)
Also trained by Bob Baffert, Citizen Bull is a Grade I winner with multiple victories. Despite a long layoff since February, his back class makes him a potential threat.
Burnham Square (+1200)
Trained by Ian R. Wilkes, Burnham Square has shown consistent improvement, including a victory in the G3 Holy Bull Stakes. With 130 qualifying points, he is a strong contender.
Tiztastic (2000)
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Tiztastic is the Louisiana Derby winner. Asmussen, despite being the most successful trainer in North American racing history, seeks his first Kentucky Derby win.
Full Field & Morning Line Odds via Heritage Sports
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Citizen Bull | Bob Baffert | Martin Garcia | +2000 |
| 2 | Neoequos | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Flavien Prat | +8000 |
| 3 | Final Gambit | Brad H. Cox | Luan Machado | +1600 |
| 4 | Rodriguez | Bob Baffert | Mike E. Smith | +1600 |
| 5 | American Promise | D. Wayne Lukas | Nik Juarez | +2500 |
| 6 | Admire Daytona | Yukihiro Kato | Christophe Lemaire | +4000 |
| 7 | Luxor Cafe | Noriyuki Hori | João Moreira | +900 |
| 8 | Journalism | Michael W. McCarthy | Umberto Rispoli | +275 |
| 9 | Burnham Square | Ian R. Wilkes | Brian Hernandez Jr. | +1200 |
| 10 | Grande | Todd A. Pletcher | John R. Velazquez | +2000 |
| 11 | Flying Mohawk | Whit Beckman | Joseph Ramos | +5000 |
| 12 | East Avenue | Brendan P. Walsh | Manuel Franco | +2000 |
| 13 | Publisher | Steven M. Asmussen | Irad Ortiz Jr. | +3300 |
| 14 | Tiztastic | Steven M. Asmussen | Joel Rosario | +2000 |
| 15 | Render Judgment | Kenneth G. McPeek | Julien Leparoux | +10000 |
| 16 | Coal Battle | Lonnie Briley | Juan Vargas | +2500 |
| 17 | Sandman | Mark E. Casse | José Ortiz | +1000 |
| 18 | Sovereignty | William I. Mott | Junior Alvarado | +600 |
| 19 | Chunk Of Gold | Ethan West | Jareth Loveberry | +5000 |
| 20 | Owen Almighty | Brian A. Lynch | Javier Castellano | +5000 |
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Expert Predictions & Betting Insights for the 151st Kentucky Derby
- Journalism: With a strong winning streak and tactical versatility, Journalism is the favorite to win.
- Sovereignty: Boasts a strong pedigree and consistent performance, making him a top contender.
- Sandman: His recent victory in the Arkansas Derby positions him as a strong competitor.
- Rodriguez: Under the guidance of Bob Baffert, Rodriguez is a notable contender with a strong track record.
- Citizen Bull: Despite a long layoff, his previous victories make him a potential threat.
- Burnham Square: Consistent improvement and a recent stakes victory make him a strong contender.
Attendance & Viewing the Kentucky Derby
- Tickets: Last-minute general admission infield tickets start at $140 before fees, while reserved seats begin at $393.
- Broadcast: The event will be broadcast on NBC, with streaming available on NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app, Peacock, and YouTube TV .
Handicappers Hideaway and Heritage Sports are giving away a free $10 bet. This offer helps you in your decision. You can try the sportsbook out, look around and see what it has to offer. The details are below.
Promo Code: HH10
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Terms & Conditions: Must Deposit $25 To Withdraw any winnings after completing roll.
Read Below for the Amazing Bitcoin Insurance that Heritage Sports is offering. Please read our review and see why we rate this sportsbook a 9.5.
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Why? Simple answer: “Bitcoin Insurance”. If you had deposited with Bitcoin during the month of December, you would have received free play. This was worth almost 40% of your account balance. It was added to your account.
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- Promo applies to Bitcoin and all Alt-Coins we support.
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- Maximum Free Play awarded in 1 month is $500.
- The first Bitcoin Insurance will be credited on August 1st, 2024.
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