2025 Kentucky Derby preview: Betting guide, how to watch, starting time

The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday evening, officially kicking off the race for the Triple Crown as the historic horse racing season continues. Training throughout their lives, it is now time for the top three-year-olds to line up in the starting gate and run for the roses.

The tradition-rich sport brings fans from across the world to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky for the weekend. Set to be broadcast on NBC, there are plenty of traditions to partake in while awaiting post time.

How to watch

Post Time: 6:57 pm ET

Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky

Channel: NBC

Kentucky Derby odds

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most heavily bet events in the United States each year, causing the odds to shift heavily throughout the week and day leading up to the main event. These odds will continue to be updated leading up to the race.

All odds for this race come via Twin Spires and are accurate as of Saturday morning. In addition, the horses are listed in order of gate number, along with the corresponding odds.

1. Citizen Bull – 13/1
2. Neoquos – 39/1
3. Final Gambit 15/1
4. Rodriguez – SCRATCH
5. American Promise – 12/1
6. Admire Daytona – 36/1
7. Luxor Cafe – 9/1
8. Journalism – 7/2
9. Burnham Square – 16/1
10. Grande – SCRATCH
11. Flying Mohawk – 30/1
12. East Avenue – 37/1
13. Publisher – 29/1
14. Tiztastic – 20/1
15. Render Judgement – 15/1
16. Coal Battle – 24/1
17. Sandman – 5/1
18. Sovereignty – 9/1
19. Chunk of Gold – 28/1
20. Owen Almighty – 38/1
21. Baeza – 18/1

More on the favorites

Journalism currently sits as the favorite, trained by Michael McCarthy with jockey Umberto Rispoli. He has won four straight races after finishing third in his maiden race. Over that span, he has an average speed figure of 107 and a high of 110 – the average figure for the Kentucky Derby winner has been 107 over the past five years.

Sandman is next on the board, trained by Mark Casse with jockey Jose Ortiz – who is one Kentucky Derby win from riding to victory in every leg of the Triple Crown. The horse has continued to gain speed and finished the prep series with an Arkansas Derby win.

Sovereignty is next in line, trained by William Mott with jockey Junior Alvarado. While he finished second in the Florida Derby, he has two career wins, including one at Churchill Downs last fall.

Rodriguez and Grande have both scratched before the race, allowing Baeza to join the field which will include just 19 horses this year. Those changes move Japanese horse Luxor Cafe next on the board with trainer Yukihiro Kato and jockey Joao Moreira.

More on the Kentucky Derby

The state of the track often determines which horse can claim an advantage, based on their past experience on each surface. The current weather forecast gives a high of 60 degrees with a 50-percent chance of rain at post time, setting the stage for wet conditions.

With so much data available on each horse, jockey and trainer coming into the race and the element of randomness too, many people take other paths to choosing their best bet. Whether you pick the best name or the prettiest horse, there is no wrong approach at the Kentucky Derby.

It is also a week of traditions, so whether in attendance or at home, enjoy the big hats and bold suits, along with the Mint Juleps and Oaks Lilies.