Introducing the 2025 Kentucky Derby contenders

Apr 27, 2025 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

Citizen Bull wins Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)

Post positions for the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs have been drawn, and the historic 1 1/4-mile race is less than one week away.

A total of 21 horses have entered the Run for the Roses, and they can be grouped into six different categories: the Favorite, the Main Challengers, the Champion, the Up-and-Comers, the Japanese Raiders, and the Longshots.

Let’s meet the 2025 Kentucky Derby horses:

The Favorite

Journalism

Santa Anita Derby (G1) and San Felipe (G2) winner Journalism is unbeaten racing one mile or farther and owns the highest Brisnet Speed rating in the Kentucky Derby field.

Expected Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism got his first gallop on the Churchill track this morning. TwinSpires caught up with trainer Michael McCarthy (@mwmracing) after to talk about his multiple graded stakes winner.🌹🏇

🎙️@AshleyAnd502 pic.twitter.com/hFp98jq4Tc

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

The Main Challengers

Burnham Square

Burnham Square defeated Florida Derby (G1) winner Tappan Street in the Holy Bull (G3) and recently returned to the winner’s circle with a stretch-running triumph in the Blue Grass (G1).

Rodriguez

Removing blinkers helped Rodriguez trounce a fast running of the Wood Memorial (G2) by 3 1/2 lengths. He’ll seek to give trainer Bob Baffert a record-setting seventh Derby win.

Sandman

A blazing pace helped Sandman close from far behind to win the Arkansas Derby (G1), and he’s likely to encounter another fast tempo in the Kentucky Derby.

Sovereignty

After winning the Street Sense (G3) and Fountain of Youth (G2), Sovereignty closed nicely to finish second in the Florida Derby, an ideal prep for the Run for the Roses.

Tiztastic

Tiztastic stormed from far back to win the Louisiana Derby (G2) going away and figures to be gaining ground down the Churchill Downs homestretch.

The Champion

Citizen Bull

Voted champion two-year-old male of 2024 off wins in the American Pharoah (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), Citizen Bull disappointed when fourth in the Santa Anita Derby, but subsequent sharp workouts suggest a rebound is in the offing.

The Up-and-Comers

American Promise

American Promise ran out of his skin in the Virginia Derby, pressing a fast pace on his way to victory by 7 3/4 lengths. But the waters get deeper at Churchill Downs.

Baeza

Baeza put up a fierce fight when finishing second by three-quarters of a length to Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby. He hopes to emulate his half-brother Mage (winner of the 2023 Kentucky Derby) with a victory on the first Saturday in May.

Final Gambit

A blazingly fast finish from off the pace carried Final Gambit to a decisive win in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on Tapeta. If he handles the switch to dirt at Churchill Downs, he can factor at big odds.

Grande

Grande overcame a wide trip to rally and finish second to Rodriguez in the Wood Memorial, but he didn’t race at age two and thus faces the remnants of the Apollo Curse.

Publisher

Publisher is getting good at the right time, as indicated by his runner-up finish in the Arkansas Derby. But he’s yet to win a race and seeks to become the first maiden to nab the Kentucky Derby since 1933.

The Japanese Raiders

Admire Daytona

Admire Daytona has speed and displayed unwavering tenacity to win the UAE Derby (G2) in Dubai, his first start outside of Japan.

Luxor Cafe

Luxor Cafe defeated Admire Daytona twice in Japan and showed brilliant acceleration to win the Fukuryu S. last time out. He has a strong chance to improve upon the third-place finish of compatriot Forever Young in the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

The Longshots

Chunk of Gold

Chunk of Gold is a consistent performer with runner-up finishes in the Louisiana Derby and Risen Star (G2) under his belt. He’s progressing in the right direction.

Coal Battle

Rebel (G2) winner Coal Battle may have moved too soon into a hot pace when third in the Arkansas Derby. Don’t count him out of the mix.

East Avenue

Breeders’ Futurity (G1) conqueror East Avenue carved out the pace in the Blue Grass before settling for second place by a nose. But can he stay 1 1/4 miles while facing formidable pace rivals in the Derby?

Flying Mohawk

Although Flying Mohawk couldn’t outkick Final Gambit in the Jeff Ruby Steaks, he likewise finished fast on the clock while snatching second place in a respectable performance.

Owen Almighty

Although Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner Owen Almighty finished in a dead-heat for last in the Blue Grass, he was beaten only 4 1/4 lengths by the victorious Burnham Square.

Neoequos

Neoequos brings speed to the Kentucky Derby, but he tired when finishing third in the Florida Derby and Fountain of Youth and must show more stamina to stay 1 1/4 miles.

Render Judgment

Virginia Derby runner-up Render Judgment looks to rebound from a fifth-place finish in the Blue Grass.