American promise horse – The 151st Kentucky Derby, set for Might 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, marks the primary leg of horse racing’s prestigious Triple Crown. With a document $5 million purse, 19 elite three-year-old Thoroughbreds will vie for the coveted garland of roses within the “Best Two Minutes in Sports activities.” Following two late scratches—Rodriguez and Grande—the sector, drawn on April 26, showcases a mixture of favorites, worldwide contenders, and longshots. Right here’s an in depth have a look at the horses, their pedigrees, key performances, and morning-line odds, based mostly on the most recent stories from CBS Information, The Athletic, and different sources.
The Favourite: Journalism (3-1)
- Submit Place: 8
- Coach: Michael McCarthy
- Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
- House owners: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Decided Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan
- Pedigree: Into Mischief — No Joke by Distorted Humor
- Key Wins: Los Alamitos Futurity (Dec. 2024), San Felipe Stakes (Mar. 2025), Santa Anita Derby (Apr. 2025)
- Profile: Named after co-owner Aron Wellman’s highschool journalism days, Journalism is the morning-line favourite with a 108 Beyer Pace Determine, the best within the discipline. Unbeaten at a mile or longer, this bay colt’s three straight graded-stakes wins in California showcase his closing pace. Nonetheless, his races concerned small fields, and the Derby’s 19-horse chaos will check his traffic-handling abilities.
Most important Challengers
Sovereignty (5-1)
- Submit Place: 18
- Coach: Invoice Mott
- Jockey: Junior Alvarado
- Key Wins: Fountain of Youth Stakes (Mar. 2025), Avenue Sense Stakes (Oct. 2024)
- Profile: A deep nearer, Sovereignty completed second within the Florida Derby, proving his stamina. His vast publish fits his late-running fashion, however he’ll want a clear journey to problem Journalism. Educated by Corridor of Famer Invoice Mott, he’s a powerful contender if the tempo heats up.
Sandman (6-1)
- Submit Place: 17
- Coach: Mark Casse
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Key Wins: Arkansas Derby (Mar. 2025)
- Profile: Named for his means to “bury” rivals, Sandman’s Arkansas Derby win highlighted his closing prowess. With three prior Churchill Downs begins, he’s conversant in the monitor however struggles at this 1¼-mile distance as a deep nearer. Half-owner TikTok star Griffin Johnson provides a contemporary aptitude to his story.
Burnham Sq. (12-1)
- Submit Place: 9
- Coach: Ian Wilkes
- Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
- Key Wins: Blue Grass Stakes (Apr. 2025), Holy Bull Stakes (2025)
- Profile: The sector’s solely gelding, Burnham Sq. rallied from final to win the Blue Grass by a nostril. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., who gained final yr’s Derby with Mystik Dan, is aware of Churchill’s stretch. Bred for the 1¼-mile distance, he’s a mid-pack stalker with upset potential.
Baeza (12-1)
- Submit Place: 19
- Coach: John Shirreffs
- Jockey: Joel Rosario
- Key Wins: None (second in Santa Anita Derby, Apr. 2025)
- Profile: Added to the sector after Rodriguez’s scratch, Baeza is a half-brother to 2023 Derby winner Mage. His runner-up end to Journalism within the Santa Anita Derby reveals promise, however his vast publish and lack of a graded-stakes win make him a dangerous wager.
The Champion: Citizen Bull (20-1)
- Submit Place: 1
- Coach: Bob Baffert
- Jockey: Martin Garcia
- Key Wins: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Nov. 2024), American Pharoah Stakes (2024), Robert B. Lewis Stakes (2025)
- Profile: Educated by Bob Baffert, again after a three-year Churchill Downs ban, Citizen Bull was the 2024 champion two-year-old male. His speed-driven wins faltered in a fourth-place Santa Anita Derby end, and the No. 1 publish is a tricky draw—final successful in 1986. Nonetheless, Baffert’s six Derby wins demand respect.
Up-and-Comers
- Writer (20-1, Submit 13): Educated by Steve Asmussen, this maiden runner-up within the Arkansas Derby is bettering however faces a historic hurdle—no maiden has gained since 1933.
- Tiztastic (20-1, Submit 14): A Louisiana Derby winner, this nearer stormed from behind and will capitalize on a quick early tempo.
- East Avenue (20-1, Submit 12): A front-runner with a second-place Blue Grass end, however stamina for 1¼ miles is questionable.
- Coal Battle (30-1, Submit 16): Third within the Arkansas Derby, this stalker may hit the board if the tempo softens.
Japanese Raiders
- Luxor Cafe (15-1, Submit 7): Winner of Japan’s Fukuryu and Hyacinth Stakes, this colt’s good acceleration may enhance on Japan’s 2024 third-place end.
- Admire Daytona (30-1, Submit 6): A UAE Derby winner, this pace horse faces a tricky tempo battle however brings worldwide aptitude. Proprietor Junko Kondo continues her late husband’s “Admire” naming legacy.
Longshots (All 30-1)
- Last Gambit (Submit 3): Jeff Ruby Steaks winner, untested on filth, named after a Pokémon transfer.
- American Promise (Submit 5): Virginia Derby winner skilled by 89-year-old D. Wayne Lukas, chasing a fifth Derby win.
- Flying Mohawk (Submit 11): Second within the Jeff Ruby Steaks, co-owned by ex-MLB star Jayson Werth, however filth is a query.
- Render Judgment (Submit 15): Half-owned by late nation star Toby Keith’s Dream Walkin’ Farms, a sentimental decide.
- Neoequos (Submit 2): A pace horse with two sloppy-track romps, probably advantaged by anticipated rain.
- Owen Almighty (Submit 20): Named after proprietor Travis Boersma’s son, a pace horse dealing with a large publish.
- Chunk of Gold (Submit 10): In line with Louisiana Derby and Risen Star runner-up finishes, a deep nearer.
Race Dynamics and Situations
The Derby’s 1¼-mile distance and 19-horse discipline are uncharted for these colts, with site visitors and crowd frenzy including unpredictability. A moist monitor is probably going after Friday’s rain and Saturday’s forecast, favoring mud-lovers like Neoequos. TimeformUS tasks a swift tempo with pace horses (Citizen Bull, Neoequos, American Promise) battling early, probably establishing closers like Journalism, Sandman, or Burnham Sq.. Submit 5, held by American Promise, has traditionally produced probably the most winners (10).
Tales to Watch
- Baffert’s Return: Bob Baffert’s comeback after a 2021 doping scandal provides drama, with Citizen Bull carrying his hopes.
- Lukas’s Legacy: At 89, D. Wayne Lukas may turn into the oldest coach to win with American Promise.
- Worldwide Aptitude: Japan’s Luxor Cafe and Admire Daytona intention to construct on Perpetually Younger’s 2024 near-miss.
- Sentimental Picks: Render Judgment’s connection to Toby Keith and Journalism’s nod to newsrooms resonate with followers.
Conclusion
Journalism’s pace and consistency make him the horse to beat, however Sovereignty and Sandman lurk as harmful closers, whereas Burnham Sq. and Baeza supply worth. Longshots like Neoequos may shock on a sloppy monitor. With a muddy Churchill Downs and a stacked discipline, the 2025 Kentucky Derby guarantees an exhilarating spectacle. Tune in at 6:57 p.m. ET on NBC to see who claims the roses.
