As the sun sets over Churchill Downs on Saturday, horse racing fans worldwide will turn their eyes to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby, the first jewel of the Triple Crown often dubbed the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.” This Kentucky Derby 2025 field of 19 three-year-olds promises drama, history and high stakes, all set to unfold at the traditional post time of 6:57 p.m. ET.
What You Need to Know About This Year’s Kentucky Derby
Since its inception in 1875, the Derby has captured imaginations with legendary champions like Secretariat and American Pharoah. Beyond the thunder of hooves, the event has become a cultural spectacle. Spectators sip mint juleps—officially recognized as the Derby’s signature cocktail—and don elaborate hats, while the winner is draped in the iconic garland of roses. This year, the world will once again gather—whether in the infield, grandstands or via national broadcast on NBC and streaming on Peacock and Hulu—to ask the same question: which horse will etch its name into history?
The Contenders: Odds, Trainers and Backstories
This Kentucky Derby 2025 horses lineup features a mix of established talents and hopeful outsiders. The early derby odds position Journalism as the horse to beat at 3-1, following three straight victories. Trainer Michael McCarthy remains unfazed by the notoriously unpredictable Derby post time draw; Journalism broke from the eighth gate, a spot McCarthy called irrelevant given his mount’s class.
Hot on Journalism’s heels is Sandman, a KY Derby horse 2025 named in tribute to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” The heavy metal icons even sent team merchandise, underlining the horse’s 6-1 odds and pop-culture cachet. Sandman and Ousmane Dembélé fans alike will watch keenly as Mark Casse’s trainee seeks to parlay those famous riffs into victory gallops.
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Bob Baffert’s Return
No preview would be complete without Bob Baffert, the Hall of Fame trainer banned until this year following Medina Spirit’s disqualification in 2021. Baffert, owner of six Derby crowns, hopes to claim a record-breaking seventh with Citizen Bull, listed at 20-1. Though Rodriguez was scratched due to a bruised foot, Baffert remains undeterred: “I’m going to have fun now that everything is behind me,” he told the Associated Press.
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Full 2025 Derby Field and Odds
All horses in the Kentucky Derby 2025 and their pre-race chances:
- Journalism (3-1) – Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy
- Sandman (6-1) – Trainer: Mark E. Casse
- Sovereignty (5-1) – Trainer: William I. Mott
- Luxor Cafe (15-1) – Trainer: Noriyuki Hori
- Burnham Square (12-1) – Trainer: Ian R. Wilkes
- Citizen Bull (20-1) – Trainer: Bob Baffert
- East Avenue (20-1) – Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh
- Final Gambit (30-1) – Trainer: Brad H. Cox
- Coal Battle (30-1) – Trainer: Lonnie Briley
- Admire Daytona (JPN) (30-1) – Trainer: Yukihiro Kato
- Flying Mohawk (30-1) – Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman
- Neoequos (30-1) – Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.
- American Promise (30-1) – Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
- Publisher (20-1) – Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
- Tiztastic (20-1) – Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
- Render Judgment (30-1) – Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
- Chunk of Gold (30-1) – Trainer: Ethan W. West
- Owen Almighty (30-1) – Trainer: Brian Lynch
- Baeza (odds unlisted) – Trainer: John A. Shirreffs
This eclectic field underscores the Derby’s famed unpredictability—outsiders routinely upset chalk horses, making Derby picks a challenge even for seasoned handicappers.
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How to Watch and Bet
For those wondering what time is the Kentucky Derby or where is the Kentucky Derby, mark your calendars for May 3 and tune into NBC or your preferred streaming platform. Bettors eyeing the Derby odds 2025 can place wagers via legal online sportsbooks, with popular bet types including win/place/show, exactas and the high-risk, high-reward trifecta.
Final Thoughts: Tradition Meets Tomorrow
As Churchill Downs prepares to host the 151st running, the Kentucky Derby 2025 date and time reflect a tradition transformed by technology and fresh storylines. From the rock-star support for Sandman to Baffert’s redemption arc, this Derby promises both nostalgia and surprise. Whether you’re a first-time viewer asking how to bet on the Kentucky Derby or a lifelong devotee, May 3 is set to deliver the heart-pounding excitement that makes this race the pinnacle of American horse racing.
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