Kentucky Derby 2025 Post Positions, Latest Vegas Odds and Picks After Post Draw

A week from now, some of the top horses and biggest names in horse racing will compete in the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby.

With the post draw taking place on Saturday evening, we now know the starting positions for this year's talented field. Journalism, trained by Mike McCarthy, was a fairly heavy favorite going into the draw, and that's unlikely to change in the coming week.

Here, you'll find a look at the field, the latest Vegas odds, the updated field and everything else you need to know about this year's 1¼-mile race.

2025 Kentucky Derby

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When: Saturday, May 3

Where: Churchill Downs in Louisville

Post Time: 6:57 p.m. ET

TV and Live Stream: NBC, NBC Sports App and Peacock

Prize Pool: $5 million ($3.1 million to winner)

Post Position and Updated Odds

Preview and Prediction

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Sovereignty

Journalism enters Derby Week as the favorite, and it's not difficult to see why. With wins at the Los Alamitos Futurity, San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby over the past few months, McCarthy's horse has plenty of momentum.

However, Journalism will likely face stiff competition from Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott, and the Mark Casse-trained Sandman.

Given Bob Baffert's history of delivering Derby winners, Rodriguez can't be discounted either. While Publisher is more of a long shot, the Steve Asmussen-trained horse is worth betting consideration. Publisher has yet to record a win but finished second at the Arkansas Derby and has an experienced jockey in Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Luxor Cafe, sired by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, should be another strong contender with a solid starting position at No. 7.

The prediction here, though, is that the favorite takes home the first jewel of the Triple Crown. The favorite doesn't always win—2024 favorite Sierra Leone was bested by Mystik Dan—but Journalism has the skills needed to win at Churchill Downs.

"(Journalism has an) amazing, powerful, ground-covering stride," Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone said, per Alexis Cubit of the Louisville Courier Journal. "He just looks like the horse that’s going to win the race."

With a favorite post position at No. 8—a spot that has produced nine Derby winners, most recently Mage in 2023—Journalism has a very real chance to approach the Preakness with a shot at the Triple Crown.

Projected Finish

1. Journalism
2. Luxor Cafe
3. Rodriguez