If it's the first Saturday in May, then it's time to watch the Kentucky Derby! A field made up of 19 horses will hit the track at Churchill Downs to set off what has famously been declared the most exciting two minutes in sports. The 151st Kentucky Derby will kickstart the new round of Triple Crown races on Saturday, May 3, 2025, with the race set to start at 6:57 p.m. ET.
This year's race will once again be shown on NBC, with coverage beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET on USA and Peacock before heading to NBC and Peacock at 2:30 p.m. ET. If you subscribe to Peacock, you won’t have to worry about channel surfing or missing a single minute of race-day coverage. Peacock also broadcasts NFL games, NASCAR races, top golf games, and a series of classic television shows. Plans start as low as $7.99, making it a cost-effective way to watch the big games, races, and more right now.
Among the 20 horses, Journalism stands out as the early betting favorite for the race, showcasing a blend of stamina, charisma, and potential. Trained by Michael W. McCarthy, Journalism is a bay colt, just 3 years old, and has a record of 3 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw from four starts, with earnings totaling $338,880. Umberto Rispoli will be on board, seeking his first Triple Crown race win. Journalism will start from the No. 7 gate after a late scratch of another horse from the field.
The full lineup of horses for the 2025 Kentucky Derby includes:
- 1. Citizen Bull, 20-1
- 2. Neoequos, 30-1
- 3. Final Gambit, 30-1
- 5. American Promise, 30-1
- 6. Admire Daytona, 30-1
- 7. Luxor Café, 15-1
- 8. Journalism, 3-1
- 9. Burnham Square, 12-1
- 11. Flying Mohawk, 30-1
- 12. East Avenue, 20-1
- 13. Publisher, 20-1
- 14. Tiztastic, 20-1
- 15. Render Judgment, 30-1
- 16. Coal Battle, 30-1
- 17. Sandman, 6-1
- 18. Sovereignty, 5-1
- 19. Chunk of Gold, 30-1
- 20. Owen Almighty, 30-1
- 21. Baeza, 12-1
The purse for the 2025 Kentucky Derby totals $5 million, with the winner set to receive $3.1 million. That top victor will also have a chance to go into the history books if they elect to proceed to run in (and win) the Preakness Stakes on May 17 and the Belmont Stakes on June 7. The last Triple Crown winner was Bob Baffert's Justify, who won all three big races in 2018.
Bob Baffert is back at Churchill Downs after a three-year ban that began in 2021 when his Kentucky Derby winner, Medina Spirit, failed a post-race blood test. Baffert, who is tied for the most Kentucky Derby wins with six, has two entries this year, but one was scratched on Thursday. His remaining entrant still has a shot to win.
Handicapping the Derby is unlike handicapping any other race. None of the horses has run the 10-furlong distance, nor have they experienced the frenzy that is the Derby crowd. Pace scenarios can dissolve as soon as the gates open, and traffic is virtually a given. Sometimes, you need more luck than skill to earn the blanket of roses.
As the excitement builds, fans are eager to see how Journalism will perform against a deep field that includes notable competitors like Chunk of Gold, American Promise, and Publisher. Journalism's speed figures tower over those of most rivals, and his stalking running style means he can sit in the second tier of runners before finding space to run late.
With the race just hours away, anticipation is palpable. Will Journalism deliver on his promise and bring home the roses? Or will another horse rise to the occasion and steal the spotlight? Whatever the outcome, the 2025 Kentucky Derby promises to be a thrilling spectacle that horse racing fans won’t want to miss.
