Kentucky Derby 2025 Post Positions Draw Start Time, Horses Lineup and More

The top horses in racing will take to Churchill Downs on Saturday for the annual running of the Kentucky Derby.

Early favorite, Journalism, faces considerable challenges from the rest of the field.

Who are those horses, where will they start from, and which is the greatest threat to the favorite?

Find out with this preview.

Schedule and Viewing Info

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Race Date: Saturday, May 3

Time: 6:57 p.m. EST

Location: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky

TV: NBC, USA

Streaming: Peacock

Coverage begins: 2:00 p.m. EST

Post Position Draw and Horse Lineup

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The lineup and post position for the 2025 Kentucky Derby is as follows:

1. Citizen Bull (Sire: Into Mischief, Dam: No Joke)
2. Neoequos (Neolithic, Bold Birdie)
3. Final Gambit (Not This Time, Pachiko)
4. Rodriguez (Authentic, Cayala)
5. American Promise (Justify, Tapella)
6. Admire Daytona (Drefong, Ice Pastel)
7. Luxor Café (American Pharoah, Mary's Follies)
8. Journalism (Curlin, Mopotism)
9. Burnham Square (Liam's Map, Linda)
10. Grande (Curlin, Journey Home)
11. Flying Mohawk (Karakontie, Bonbons Fleur)
12. East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro, Dance Music)
13. Publisher (American Pharoah, Indian Pride)
14. Tiztastic (Tiz the Law, Keesha)
15. Render Judgment (Blame, Barbara Gordon)
16. Coal Battle (Coal Front, Wolfblade)
17. Sandman (Tapit, Distorted Humor)
18. Sovereignty (Into Mischief, Crowned)
19. Chunk of God (Perservationist, Play for Gold)
20. Owen Almighty (Speightstown, Temper's Rising)

* Baeza is the 21st horse entered into this year's race and will compete if another horse scratches.

Enter Sandman

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Jounalism is the favorite to win this year's race at 3-1 odds, but next closest is Sandman, who enters the field at 6-1 odds and is finding himself as a racer.

The gray/roan colt has been on fire of late, winning the Arkansas Derby while continuing to grow and evolve on the track. Once a traditional sprinter, he has demonstrated "both tactical speed and finishing power," per the Kentucky Derby website.

His conditioning is top notch and has not suffered throughout his continued development, making him a real threat to win this year's race. The track will not be too long, arduous, or grueling for him, thanks to a pedigree of cerebral racers and stamina-driven horses.

It will be mother Distorted Humor's speed and versatility that should help Sandman around the Churchill Downs track and could push him into the winner's circle come Saturday.

That he has a skilled, young jockey in José Ortiz, who is chasing his first Kentucky Derby win to complete his own, personal Triple Crown, only helps Sandman's chances of upsetting Journalism and winning the most prestigious race on the schedule.