Bleacher Report

Kentucky Derby 2025 Projected Prize Money Earnings, Order of Finish and More

Kristopher KnoxMay 2, 2025

Derby Day has finally arrived, and on Saturday evening, The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports will unfold.

The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby will feature some wonderful contenders, though, the field took a hit late in the week, when both Rodriguez and Grande were scratched.

Journalism, who remained the favorite throughout the week, is still set to race, though, along with several horses deserving of a share of the $5 million prize pool.

Here's a look at everything you need to know for race day, along with some predictions for the race's top money finishers.

The 151st Kentucky Derby

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Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

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

Extended Broadcast Schedule (all times ET)

10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. on FanDuel TV

12 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. on USA and Peacock

2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on NBC and Peacock

Post Positions and Updated Odds

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Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Tiztastic is washed in the barn area after morning workouts prior to the running of the 151st Kentucky Derby

1. Citizen Bull 13-1

2. Neoequos 47-1

3. Final Gambit 15-1

4. Rodriguez - Scratched

5. American Promise 12-1

6. Admire Daytona 41-1

7. Luxor Café 11-1

8. Journalism 7-2

9. Burnham Square 16-1

10. Grande - Scratched

11. Flying Mohawk 31-1

12. East Avenue 37-1

13. Publisher 29-1

14. Tiztastic 18-1

15. Render Judgment 14-1

16. Coal Battle 25-1

17. Sandman 9-2

18. Sovereignty 9-1

19. Chunk of Gold 28-1

20. Owen Almighty 39-1

21. Baeza 18-1

*Odds via Twinspires.com.

Preview and Predictions

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Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Journalism trains prior to the running of the 151st Kentucky Derby

Heading into Saturday, the biggest buzz involved horses who will no longer be in the race.

Rodriguez, who was one of the favorites early in the week, was scratched with a bruised foot.

"It's still sinking in," trainer Bob Baffert said, per Joe Perez and Sean Collins of Blood Horse "I was really looking forward to running him in the Derby. You have to be just perfect. If you're gonna win this thing, you got to be perfect."

Baffert's decision to hold Rodriguez until the Preakness opened the door for also-eligible horse, Baeza.

On Friday morning, Grande was also scratched with a foot bruise. According to Robby Kalland of CBS Sports, the withdrawal of Grande means that trainer Todd Pletcher won't have a horse in the Derby for the first time in 21 years, while jockey John Velazquez will not ride in the Derby for the first time in 18 years.

Baffert still has Citizen Bull in the field, though Rodriguez was considered the stronger horse.

While a slightly smaller field probably won't impact the chances of favorites like Journalism, Sandman, Sovereignty and Luxor Cafe. With rain possible on Saturday evening, however, track conditions might.

According to Beth Harris of the Associated Press, 13 of the Derby's entrants, including Journalism, have no experience racing in the mud. Horses like American Promise, Luxor Cafe and Coal Battle, do.

The prediction here is that a wet track isn't enough to stop Journalism and jockey Umberto Rispoli from continuing their hot streak. However, it could lead to a tighter race with a few long shots finding their way into the money.

Projected Order of Finish and Payout