Study Guide: 2025 Kentucky Derby

Apr 24, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

A strong group of horses has assembled for the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Post positions for the historic 1 1/4-mile race will be drawn on Saturday. In the meantime, 24 horses remain under consideration for the Run for the Roses.

Let’s meet the prospective field:

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Burnham Square

Start(s): 6
Wins: 3
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Whitham Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Whitham Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (101) when winning the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $977,755

Sire: Liam’s Map
Dam: Linda
Color: Bay

Stretch-running Blue Grass (G1) winner Burnham Square enters the Kentucky Derby in improving form and hopes to capitalize on a potentially hot pace set by East Avenue, Rodriguez, and others.

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Sandman

Start(s): 8
Wins: 3
Place: 1
Show: 2

Owner: D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, and CJ Stables
Breeder: Lothenbach Stables
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Top Speed Rating: (101) when winning the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
Total Earnings: $1,254,595

Sire: Tapit
Dam: Distorted Music
Color: Gray/roan

Although he’s prone to racing greenly at times, Sandman unleashed a big rally from behind a blazing pace to win the Arkansas Derby (G1) in decisive fashion. He’ll hope for a similarly favorable setup at Churchill Downs.

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Journalism

Start(s): 5
Wins: 4
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, Robert V. LaPenta, Mrs. John Magnier-Lessee, Derrick Smith-Lessee, and Michael B. Tabor-Lessee
Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli

Top Speed Rating: (108) when winning the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $638,880

Sire: Curlin
Dam: Mopotism
Color: Bay

The Kentucky Derby favorite, Journalism, has won four races in a row, most recently overcoming traffic trouble to win the Santa Anita Derby (G1) with a powerful 108 Brisnet Speed rating. He’s the horse to beat in his first start outside of California.

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Rodriguez

Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
Breeder: Kingswood Farm and David Egan
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike Smith

Top Speed Rating: (105) when winning the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.
Total Earnings: $522,800

Sire: Authentic
Dam: Cayala
Color: Dark bay/brown

Racing without blinkers for the first time worked wonders for Rodriguez in the Wood Memorial (G2), as he set the pace and finished fast to win by 3 1/2 lengths. This son of 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic is finding his best form just in time for the first Saturday in May.

"It suggests Authentic’s runners appreciate racing route distances, which we’re already seeing as they mature into three-year-olds."

Learn more about Rodriguez's pedigree! 🏇 @J_Keelermanhttps://t.co/cDo0ANyXw6 pic.twitter.com/ClQoCCiX1h

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 23, 2025

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Tiztastic

Start(s): 8
Wins: 3
Place: 1
Show: 2

Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, and Derrick Smith
Breeder: Capital Bloodstock
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario

Top Speed Rating: (100) when winning the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $1,549,800

Sire: Tiz the Law
Dam: Keesha
Color: Dark bay/brown

Tiztastic took a step forward in the Louisiana Derby (G2) last time out, launching a rally from nine lengths off the lead to win going away. He’s another high-profile contender who is hitting his peak form at the right time.

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Tappan Street

Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: WinStar Farm, CHC, and Cold Press Racing
Breeder: Blue Heaven Farm
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez

Top Speed Rating: (99) when finishing second in the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $643,400

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Virginia Key
Color: Bay

The lightly raced Tappan Street delivered a big performance in the Florida Derby (G1), outkicking favored Sovereignty to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths. He clocked a fast time over the final three furlongs and heads to Churchill Downs as a strong win contender.

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Sovereignty

Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Top Speed Rating: (99) when winning the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $572,800

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: Crowned
Color: Bay

Sovereignty couldn’t catch Tappan Street in the Florida Derby, but he previously won the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Street Sense (G3) with powerful rallies. He’s training sharply leading up to the Kentucky Derby and may be poised for a career-best performance.

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Final Gambit

Start(s): 4
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Juddmonte
Breeder: Juddmonte
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luan Machado

Top Speed Rating: (101) when winning the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park.
Total Earnings: $520,639

Sire: Not This Time
Dam: Pachinko
Color: Gray/roan

Although he’s never raced over a dirt track like the one at Churchill Downs, Final Gambit has the pedigree to handle dirt just fine. He unleashed a blazing fast finish to win the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) over a synthetic track and will be dangerous if he transfers that form to dirt.

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Coal Battle

Start(s): 8
Wins: 5
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Norman Stables
Breeder: Hume Wornall and Jay Adcock
Trainer: Lonnie Briley
Jockey: Juan Vargas

Top Speed Rating: (98) when winning the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park.
Total Earnings: $1,188,875

Sire: Coal Front
Dam: Wolfblade
Color: Dark bay/brown

Coal Battle won three straight Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers before tiring to finish third in the Arkansas Derby. He made an early move into a hot pace, so his defeat shouldn’t be judged too harshly.

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Chunk of Gold

Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 3
Show: 0

Owner: Terry L. Stephens
Breeder: Brereton C. Jones
Trainer: Ethan West
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry

Top Speed Rating: (98) when finishing second in the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $348,818

Sire: Preservationist
Dam: Play for Gold
Color: Gray/roan

Chunk of Gold exits runner-up finishes in the Louisiana Derby and Risen Star (G2). His consistency is admirable, but he’ll need improvement to turn the tables on Tiztastic.

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Citizen Bull

Start(s): 6
Wins: 4
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan
Breeder: Robert Low and Lawana Low
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Martin Garcia

Top Speed Rating: (107) when winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar.
Total Earnings: $1,451,000

Sire: Into Mischief
Dam: No Joke
Color: Bay

Citizen Bull faded to fourth place in the Santa Anita Derby, but he’d previously led from start to finish in three straight stakes, including the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Sharp workouts suggest Citizen Bull may be capable of rebounding for six-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert.

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Owen Almighty

Start(s): 7
Wins: 3
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: Flying Dutchmen
Breeder: Mark Stanley
Trainer: Brian Lynch
Jockey: Javier Castellano

Top Speed Rating: (97) when finishing second in the Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs.
Total Earnings: $499,935

Sire: Speightstown
Dam: Tempers Rising
Color: Bay

Owen Almighty won the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) during the winter, but he needs to bounce back from a recent sixth-place finish against Burnham Square in the Blue Grass.

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East Avenue

Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Brendan Walsh
Jockey: Manny Franco

Top Speed Rating: (97) when finishing second in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland.
Total Earnings: $654,395

Sire: Medaglia d’Oro
Dam: Dance Music
Color: Bay

East Avenue runs best when allowed to set the pace, as demonstrated by his runaway win in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and his close second (beaten a nose) in the Blue Grass. But he’s facing several potential pace rivals in the Kentucky Derby, which could complicate his path to victory.

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Publisher

Start(s): 7
Wins: 0
Place: 2
Show: 3

Owner: Gus King and Estate of Brereton C. Jones
Breeder: Brereton C. Jones
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (98) when finishing second in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
Total Earnings: $407,756

Sire: American Pharoah
Dam: Indian Pride
Color: Bay

Publisher rallied from far back to finish second in the Arkansas Derby, but that marked the third straight race in which he finished behind Sandman. This son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah needs another step forward to turn the tables.

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American Promise

Start(s): 9
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: BC Stables
Breeder: Candy Meadows
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Nik Juarez

Top Speed Rating: (105) when winning the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs.
Total Earnings: $444,874

Sire: Justify
Dam: Tapella
Color: Chestnut

American Promise was tons the best in the Virginia Derby, pressing a fast pace before drawing off to win by 7 3/4 lengths. But the caliber of competition is much tougher in the Kentucky Derby.

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Flying Mohawk

Start(s): 6
Wins: 2
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing, and Kaleta Racing
Breeder: John O’Meara
Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
Jockey: Joseph Ramos

Top Speed Rating: (97) when finishing second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park.
Total Earnings: $295,800

Sire: Karakontie
Dam: Bonbons Fleur
Color: Dark bay/brown

Flying Mohawk overcame a troubled start to rally and finish second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks, 3 1/2 lengths behind Final Gambit. It was a fine showing, but Flying Mohawk has yet to race on dirt, and his pedigree suggests turf and synthetic surfaces may be preferable.

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Grande

Start(s): 3
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Repole Stable
Breeder: KatieRich Farms
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez

Top Speed Rating: (101) when finishing second in the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.
Total Earnings: $228,200

Sire: Curlin
Dam: Journey Home
Color: Dark bay/brown

Despite racing wide throughout the Wood Memorial, Grande closed ground to finish second with a career-best 101 Brisnet Speed rating. This stoutly bred son of Curlin is progressing in the right direction for two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher and shouldn’t be underestimated.

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Built

Start(s): 6
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 2

Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
Breeder: Robert Low and Lawana Low
Trainer: Wayne Catalano
Jockey: TBD

Top Speed Rating: (94) when winning the Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds.
Total Earnings: $244,204

Sire: Hard Spun
Dam: Sea Garden
Color: Bay

Built performed with aplomb in a series of Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers during the winter at Fair Grounds, but a tiring fifth-place finish in the Louisiana Derby leaves him needing a rebound at Churchill Downs.

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Luxor Cafe

Start(s): 6
Wins: 4
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Koichi Nishikawa
Breeder: Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt and Westerberg Ireland ULC
Trainer: Noriyuki Hori
Jockey: Joao Moreira

Top Speed Rating: N/A
Total Earnings: $379,057

Sire: American Pharaoh
Dam: Mary’s Follies
Color: Bay

The first of two Japanese raiders, Luxor Cafe, enters off four straight wins, including an eye-catching five-length romp in the Fukuryu S. at Nakayama. Luxor Cafe finished fast in the Fukuryu and looms as a possible win threat in his U.S. debut.

Luxor Cafe is here for the 151st Kentucky Derby! 🌹 pic.twitter.com/xGrPbjfMVc

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 23, 2025

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Admire Daytona

Start(s): 6
Wins: 2
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: Junko Kondo
Breeder: Northern Racing
Trainer: Yukihiro Kato
Jockey: Christophe Lemaire

Top Speed Rating: N/A
Total Earnings: $672,047

Sire: Drefong
Dam: Ice Pastel
Color: Bay

The second colt from Japan is Admire Daytona, who finished behind Luxor Cafe twice in his home country before shipping to Dubai to win the UAE Derby (G2) by a nose. Admire Daytona has speed and may be part of the Kentucky Derby pace.

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Neoequos

Start(s): 7
Wins: 2
Place: 2
Show: 2

Owner: C2 Racing Stable, Ian Parsard, Shining Stables, and Stefania Farms
Breeder: Helen Barbazon, Joseph Barbazon, and Matalona Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: TBD

Top Speed Rating: (101) when finishing second in the FTBOA Florida Sire Affirmed S. at Gulfstream Park.
Total Earnings: $291,050

Sire: Neolithic
Dam: Bold Birdie
Color: Bay

Neoequos is a potential pace player after showing speed with third-place finishes in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1). However, both his wins have come in sprints, and stretching out to 1 1/4 miles is a question mark.

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Render Judgment

Start(s): 7
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing, and Rocket Ship Racing
Breeder: Green Lantern Stables
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: TBD

Top Speed Rating: (96) when finishing second in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs.
Total Earnings: $250,672

Sire: Blame
Dam: Barbara Gordon
Color: Bay

Runner-up in the Virginia Derby and fifth in the Blue Grass, Render Judgment has performed respectably on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, but will need to improve upon his career-best 96 Brisnet Speed rating to challenge at Churchill Downs.

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Baeza

Start(s): 4
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 0

Owner: C R K Stable and Grandview Equine
Breeder: Grandview Equine
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Top Speed Rating: (107) when finishing second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $148,500

Sire: McKinzie
Dam: Puca
Color: Bay

A half-brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage, Baeza has improved by leaps and bounds since the beginning of the year. He was beaten only three-quarters of a length when second to Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby and warrants respect in the Run for the Roses.

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California Burrito

Start(s): 7
Wins: 3
Place: 1
Show: 0

Owner: Aaron Haberman and Victoria Haberman
Breeder: Westbrook Stables
Trainer: Thomas Drury Jr.
Jockey: TBD

Top Speed Rating: (92) when winning the John Battaglia Memorial S. at Turfway Park.
Total Earnings: $229,099

Sire: Army Mule
Dam: Bluegrass Sunset
Color: Bay

California Burrito was leading in the homestretch of the Jeff Ruby Steaks when he took a bad step, apparently balking at tracks left behind from moving the starting gate. He tired to finish seventh, but a previous gate-to-wire victory in the John Battaglia Memorial S. suggests California Burrito is capable of a better performance.