Latest Kentucky Derby 2025 Odds, Betting Lines and Predictions

We're less than a week away from The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports. The 2025 Kentucky Derby is set to kick off next Saturday evening, and it's set to feature an intriguing field of talented horses and racing teams.

The early favorites include Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, and Sovereignty, trained by Bills Mott. Derby-winning jockeys like John Velazquez and Flavien Prat will also be in the field.

We have a better idea of how that field will look after this past Saturday's post draw. Here's a look at how things shape up, the latest odds and what to expect at the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby.

The 151st Kentucky Derby

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Citizen Bull walks back to the barn during the morning training in preparation for the 151th Kentucky Derby

When: Saturday, May 3

Where: Churchill Downs in Louisville

Post Time: 6:57 p.m. ET

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

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

Post Positions and Latest Odds

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Sandman runs on the track during the morning training in preparation for the 151th Kentucky Derby

1. Citizen Bull 20-1

2. Neoequos 30-1

3. Final Gambit 30-1

4. Rodriguez 12-1

5. American Promise 30-1

6. Admire Daytona 30-1

7. Luxor Cafe 15-1

8. Journalism 3-1

9. Burnham Square 12-1

10. Grande 20-1

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

*Odds via Twinspires.com.

Preview and Prediction

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Publisher runs on the track during the morning training in preparation for the 151th Kentucky Derby

While the horses are always the stars of the Kentucky Derby, the trainers are often the stars of race week. Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who has helped produce six Derby winners—most recently, Authentic in 2020—is back following a three-year suspension for Medina Spirit’s failed drug tests.

Baffert has a couple of horses capable of challenging Journalism, Sovereignty, Sandman and the other favorites.

Citizen Bull drew the No. 1 post, while Rodriguez drew the No. 4 post. Of the two, horses, Rodriguez, who won the Wood Memorial earlier this month, appears to be the biggest threat.

However, it's difficult to pick against Journalism, who has won four straight races, including the Los Alamitos Futurity, San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby. McCarthy may not have the past Derby experience that Baffert has, but he helped produce 2021 Preakness winner Rombauer.

Saturday's post draw did nothing to suggest that Journalism shouldn't be the favorite either. McCarthy's horse drew the No. 8 post, a position that has produced nine Derby winners, most recently Mage in 2023.

“I’m very pleased,” McCarthy said, per Jason Frakes of the Louisville Courier Journal. “What’s not to like?”

Weather shouldn't be a factor either. While rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast for early in the week, according to Weather,com\, Saturday's outlook includes partly cloudy skies and temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees.

It should be a fast track and a fast race on Saturday, and that should play into Journalism's strengths. Having other speedy horses, like Burnham Square and Luxor Cafe, should help Journalism's approach to the front.

It might be more fun to root for the long shot, but here, we're going with the favorite.

Projected Finish

1. Journalism

2. Rodriguez

3. Luxor Cafe