The Run for the Roses is nearly here! The 151st Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, 3rd May 2025, and punters around the world are preparing for one of the most exciting days in horse racing. With big names, longshots, and expert advice at hand, here’s your complete guide to this year’s race – including odds, favourites, expert picks, and tips on exacta, trifecta, and superfecta bets.Top Contenders and Betting Odds for Kentucky Derby 2025
The current favourite to win the 2025 Kentucky Derby is Journalism at 3-1 odds, trained by Michael McCarthy. However, the competition is fierce, and several dark horses are catching the eye of betting experts.
Top 2025 Kentucky Derby Favourites
Journalism – 3-1 (Favourite)
Sovereignty – 5-1
Sandman – 6-1
Rodriguez – 12-1 (scratched)
Baeza – 12-1
Notable Longshots
Citizen Bull – 20-1 (Drew the inside post – a historically unlucky spot)
Luxor Cafe – 15-1 (Son of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah)
Admire Daytona – 30-1 (One of two Japanese contenders)
A Tough Spot for Citizen Bull
Citizen Bull, trained by Bob Baffert, landed the No. 1 post position – a slot that hasn’t seen a winner since 1986. With a packed field of 19 horses, the inside post can lead to horses being trapped or crowded early on.
But don’t count out Baffert just yet – he’s chasing his record-breaking 7th Kentucky Derby win, and Citizen Bull could surprise despite the odds.
Can Journalism Break the Trend?
Although favourites have historically done well, winning 56 out of 150 past Derbies, none have taken first place in the last six years. Journalism hopes to end that drought – but with only two starts at age three, he faces an uphill battle. No horse with that record has ever won the Derby in 49 attempts.
Japanese Horses Gaining Ground
This year sees two Japanese entries:
Luxor Cafe – 15-1
Admire Daytona – 30-1
Japanese runners are still seeking their first Derby victory. Last year’s Forever Young came close, finishing third – a historic first top-three for Japan. With improving performances, 2025 could be the year.
Expert Picks from Jody Demling
Jody Demling, a seasoned horse racing analyst from SportsLine, has an impressive track record:
Predicted the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double 11 times in 16 years
Called 10 of the last 20 Preakness Stakes winners
Nailed the Belmont Stakes winner 4 times in 7 years
Hit the superfecta in 2023 and trifecta in 2024
Demling’s 2025 strategy? He’s not backing Journalism as his top pick. Instead, he’s building his bets around Luxor Cafe and a longshot with insider buzz, offering punters excellent value.
Types of Bets Explained (With Real 2024 Payouts)
Knowing what type of bet to place can make a huge difference. Here’s a simple breakdown:
Exacta
Pick: 1st and 2nd place in exact order
2024 Payout: $2 exacta paid $258.56
Trifecta
Pick: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in exact order
2024 Payout: $1 trifecta paid $1,113.84
Superfecta
Pick: 1st through 4th in exact order
2024 Payout: $1 superfecta paid $8,254
Full Post Positions & Odds – Kentucky Derby 2025
| Post | Horse | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Citizen Bull | 20-1 |
| 2 | Neoequos | 30-1 |
| 3 | Final Gambit | 30-1 |
| 4 | Rodriguez | 12-1 (Scratched) |
| 5 | American Promise | 30-1 |
| 6 | Admire Daytona | 30-1 |
| 7 | Luxor Cafe | 15-1 |
| 8 | Journalism | 3-1 |
| 9 | Burnham Square | 12-1 |
| 10 | Grande | 20-1 |
| 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 |
Where to Bet on the Kentucky Derby 2025
Demling’s picks are available at SportsLine – ideal for those looking to cover multiple bet types. You can place your bets at:
FanDuel Racing
TwinSpires
1/ST BET
Final Thoughts
With strong favourites like Journalism, exciting international contenders like Luxor Cafe, and the unpredictable drama of the Kentucky Derby, 2025 promises to be a thrilling race. Backed by expert insight and smart betting strategies, punters have plenty of opportunities to win big.
Don’t Miss:
Full expert picks at SportsLine.com
Real-time updates from official Kentucky Derby platforms
Sources: