Kentucky Derby 2025 Prize Money Purse, Latest Vegas Odds Payouts and More

We're on the doorstep of the 2025 Kentucky Derby, and while Journalism remains the favorite, the odds have finally seen a late-week shift.

Other top contenders, at least, according to Friday's odds, include Sandman, Sovereignty and American Promise. Rodriguez, another early favorite, was scratched on Thursday due to a foot bruise. Grande was also scratched with a heel injury.

The top horses and teams will be vying for the winner's share of this year's $5 million prize purse. Fans looking to wager on the race will be looking to cash in by predicting the finish ahead of time.

Here's a look at the latest odds, payout information and pre-race buzz.

151st Kentucky Derby Information

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Journalism runs on the track during the morning training for the 151th Kentucky Derby

When: Saturday, May 3

Where: Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY

Post Time: 6:57 p.m. ET

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

Prize Pool: $5 million

1st place: $3.1 million

2nd place: $1 million

3rd place: $500,000

4th place: $250,000

5th place: $150,000

Post Positions and Updated Odds

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Journalism walks into his barn during the morning training for the 151th Kentucky Derby

1. Citizen Bull 14-1

2. Neoequos 48-1

3. Final Gambit 16-1

4. Rodriguez - Scratched

5. American Promise 12-1

6. Admire Daytona 39-1

7. Luxor Café 12-1

8. Journalism 3-1

9. Burnham Square 16-1

10. Grande - Scratched

11. Flying Mohawk 33-1

12. East Avenue 34-1

13. Publisher 28-1

14. Tiztastic 18-1

15. Render Judgment 13-1

16. Coal Battle 27-1

17. Sandman 5-1

18. Sovereignty 9-1

19. Chunk of Gold 29-1

20. Owen Almighty 39-1

21. Baeza 20-1

*Odds via Twinspires.com.

Preview and Latest Buzz

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Final Gambit runs on the track during the morning training for the 151th Kentucky Derby

Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, has been the favorite throughout the week, and it's easy to see why. The son of Curlin has won four straight races and drew a favorable position in the No. 8 gate.

The No. 8 spot has produced nine Derby winners to date.

Of course, the field is filled with talented horses that will push Journalism on Saturday evening. Luxor Café, for example, has also won four straight races and will start next to Journalism, while Burnham Square is a fast sleeper who will break from Journalism's other side.

"His Beyer Speed Figures have improved with every race of his career. If that trend continues, watch out! Closer should get the early pace he needs," Jason Frakes of the Louisville Courier Journal wrote of Burnham Square.

Faster horses usually dominate on Saturday evening, though track conditions could make positioning as important as the ability to close or distance late. Louisville has experienced rain throughout the week, and, according to Weather.com, rain is now in the forecast for Saturday.

Bettors may want to consider horses who have experience in the rain (h/t Brooks Holton of the Louisville Courier Journal) like Final Gambit and American Promise.

Fans looking to wager on the order of finish instead of a specific horse have options too, and they can pay out big.

According to Sportsline's Jody Demling, a $2 exacta bet (first- and second-place finishers in the correct order) in 2024 paid $258.56. A $1 trifecta wager (first-, second- and third-place finishers in the correct order) paid $1,113.84.

A $1 superfecta (top four finishers in correct order) paid $8,254 last year.

In other words, there's plenty of money to be won in this year's Derby—both by the racing teams and fans—and we're just over 24 hours away from seeing how it all unfolds.