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Journalism, early Derby favorite, works half-mile at Santa Anita
Brad Free Mar 16,2025
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Lukas finds new route to Derby with American Promise’s Virginia Derby win
Marcus Hersh Mar 15,2025
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Baffert seeks first Colonial win in Virginia Derby
Marcus Hersh Mar 13,2025
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Kentucky Derby 2025: This year, Cox has the numbers but not the power
Marcus Hersh Mar 12,2025
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Kentucky Derby: Rain could delay Journalism's work a few days
Brad Free Mar 12,2025

Horse/ Best Beyer | Trainer | David Aragona Odds | ||||||
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Journalism 108 | Michael McCarthy | 9-2 | ||||||
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BF: Highly rated comeback victory by true distance colt propels him to the top of list, 3 for 3 routes | ||||||||
DA: San Felipe changes the game for all; reeled in Barnes with room to spare, looking like Derby fave | ||||||||
Sovereignty 95 | Bill Mott | 8-1 | ||||||
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BF: Outstanding last-to-first comeback victory was his first start in four months, joins Derby short list | ||||||||
DA: Was thoroughly impressed by his Street Sense last year; returned with same relentless rally in FOY | ||||||||
Barnes 105 | Bob Baffert | 8-1 | ||||||
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BF: His 105 Beyer in first route would have won most San Felipes, trainer said Barnes "got a little tired" | ||||||||
DA: Validated the hype despite losing the best prep we've seen so far; still not sure he wants 10F | ||||||||
Citizen Bull
98
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Bob Baffert | 8-1 | ||||||
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Brad Free: Champ 2yo exploited soft pace/soft trips in three stakes wins, always tough to beat as lone speed | ||||||||
David Aragona: Afforded easy leads by stablemates in each major victory; is he a one-dimensional front-runner? | ||||||||
Coal Battle 91 | Lonnie Briley | 15-1 | ||||||
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BF: Took advantage of perfect trip off hot pace to upset Rebel, 5 for 5 on dirt, versatile colt always fires | ||||||||
SA: Avoided far turn traffic jam making Rebel winning move; 50 points puts him in the Derby field | ||||||||
Sandman 92 | Mark Casse | 20-1 | ||||||
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BF: Was best finishing second in off-slow Southwest, only third best on speed-friendly track in Rebel | ||||||||
DA: Speed and rail-friendly surface on Rebel Day did him no favors; late-runner needs racing luck | ||||||||
Chancer McPatrick 92 | Chad Brown | 25-1 | ||||||
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BF: Two-turn dilemma still unresolved, though rail-skimming runner-up comeback step in right direction | ||||||||
DA: Finished well and at least showed more tactical speed with blinkers; the jury's still out on him | ||||||||
Burnham Square 91 | Ian Wilkes | 30-1 | ||||||
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BF: Seemed to stall at quarter pole before re-rally in FOY, odd performance ultimately disappointing | ||||||||
DA: Lacked turn of foot in FOY; still earned new top Beyer, galloped out well; deserves another chance | ||||||||
Captain Cook 94 | Rick Dutrow | 30-1 | ||||||
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BF: Passed route test defeating modest AQU field at 9 furlongs, potential Wood fave at same distance | ||||||||
DA: Got a soft trip, but nevertheless finished off Withers convincingly; 94 Beyer is solid for February | ||||||||
Flood Zone 98 | Brad Cox | 30-1 | ||||||
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BF: Decisive victory one-turn Gotham, fast colt must run long next out to be considered for Ky. Derby | ||||||||
DA: Displayed massive improvement off the switch to Cox in fast Gotham; two turns still a question | ||||||||
River Thames 94 | Todd Pletcher | 30-1 | ||||||
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BF: Got nailed first try two turns, not sure how far he wants to run, must answer distance question | ||||||||
DA: Proved he belongs at this level in FOY, but have same concerns as Brad about distance limitations | ||||||||
Rodriguez
100
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Bob Baffert | 30-1 | ||||||
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BF: No visble alibi for distant third in San Felipe, offered little fight late, blinkers-off under consideration | ||||||||
DA: Again conservatively ridden early to ensure soft trip for Barnes, but lack of finish was disappointing | ||||||||
Madeket Road 90 | Bob Baffert | 35-1 | ||||||
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BF: Calif. shipper runner-up at OP after setting blazing pace, though benefited by speed-friendly surface | ||||||||
DA: Speed/rail did well on Rebel Day, but he still deserves pace upgrade; wonder about added ground | ||||||||
Hill Road 89 | Chad Brown | 35-1 | ||||||
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BF: Decent comeback, super gallop-out by BC Juvenile third-place finisher puts late-runner in picture | ||||||||
DA: Figured to need return; has encountered slow paces in both dirt starts; likely to do better next time | ||||||||
Tappan Street 87 | Brad Cox | 35-1 | ||||||
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BF: Solid stakes runner-up with wide trip in first route, first vs. winners; all or nothing in Florida Derby | ||||||||
DA: Holy Bull doesn't look as strong in retrospect; don't love that he'll enter Derby with just 3 starts | ||||||||
Built
92
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Wayne Catalano | 35-1 | ||||||
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BF: Distant third to since-sidelined Magnitude at FG earned the same fig as stakes romp in December | ||||||||
Owen Almighty 92 | Brian Lynch | 40-1 | ||||||
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BF: Exploited soft pace to wire field at TAM, but he won't get such an easy trip if ends up in Ky. Derby | ||||||||
DA: Talented colt looks better suited to shorter races, but always tough for owners to resist Derby fever | ||||||||
Chunk of Gold 92 | Ethan West | 50-1 | ||||||
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BF: Lightly raced $2,500 yearling outfinished 10 others as 43-1 runner-up in Risen Star, banked 25 points | ||||||||
DA: Encountered traffic rallying for 2nd in Risen Star; had shown potential on synth, improved on dirt | ||||||||
California Burrito 92 | Tom Drury | 50-1 | ||||||
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BF: Exploited soft pace wire-to-wire in both recent TP races, would face more speed in Jeff Ruby | ||||||||
DA: Two-time synthetic winner was a handful for runaway Risen Star hero Magnitude on dirt last year | ||||||||
Sand Devil 93 | Linda Rice | 50-1 | ||||||
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BF: Development seemingly stalled, Gotham runner-up earned virtually same fig as both previous | ||||||||
DA: Hoped to see stronger finish in Gotham; still earned third 90+ Beyer; gets another shot in Wood | ||||||||
Road to the Derby
Date | Race / Track / Distance | Winner / Beyer | |||||
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Saturday, Sep 14, 2024 |
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Jonathan’s Way 90 | Race Recap View Chart |
Jonathan’s Way
90
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Saturday, Oct 5, 2024 |
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East Avenue 95 | Race Recap View Chart |
East Avenue
95
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Saturday, Oct 5, 2024 |
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Citizen Bull 88 | Race Recap View Chart |
Citizen Bull
88
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Saturday, Oct 5, 2024 |
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Chancer McPatrick 92 | Race Recap View Chart |
Chancer McPatrick
92
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Sunday, Oct 27, 2024 |
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Sovereignty 87 | Race Recap View Chart |
Sovereignty
87
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Friday, Nov 1, 2024 |
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Citizen Bull 96 | Race Recap View Chart |
Citizen Bull
96
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Saturday, Nov 30, 2024 |
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First Resort 88 | Race Recap View Chart |
First Resort
88
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Saturday, Dec 7, 2024 |
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Poster 84 | Race Recap View Chart |
Poster
84
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Friday, Dec 13, 2024 |
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Coal Battle 84 | Race Recap View Chart |
Coal Battle
84
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Saturday, Dec 14, 2024 |
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Journalism 87 | Race Recap View Chart |
Journalism
87
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Saturday, Dec 21, 2024 |
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Built 92 | Race Recap View Chart |
Built
92
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Saturday, Jan 4, 2025 |
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Cyclone State 84 | Race Recap View Chart |
Cyclone State
84
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Saturday, Jan 4, 2025 |
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Coal Battle 84 | Race Recap View Chart |
Coal Battle
84
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Saturday, Jan 18, 2025 |
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Disco Time 77 | Race Recap View Chart |
Disco Time
77
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Saturday, Jan 25, 2025 |
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Speed King 93 | Race Recap View Chart |
Speed King
93
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Saturday, Feb 1, 2025 |
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Burnham Square 90 | Race Recap View Chart |
Burnham Square
90
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Saturday, Feb 1, 2025 |
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Citizen Bull 98 | Race Recap View Chart |
Citizen Bull
98
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Saturday, Feb 1, 2025 |
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Captain Cook 94 | Race Recap View Chart |
Captain Cook
94
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Saturday, Feb 8, 2025 |
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John Hancock 85 | Race Recap View Chart |
John Hancock
85
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Saturday, Feb 15, 2025 |
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Magnitude 108 | Race Recap View Chart |
Magnitude
108
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Sunday, Feb 16, 2025 |
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Getaway Car 92 | Race Recap View Chart |
Getaway Car
92
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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025 |
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California Burrito 92 | Race Recap View Chart |
California Burrito
92
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Sunday, Feb 23, 2025 |
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Coal Battle 91 | Race Recap View Chart |
Coal Battle
91
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Saturday, Mar 1, 2025 |
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Flood Zone 98 | Race Recap View Chart |
Flood Zone
98
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Saturday, Mar 1, 2025 |
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Sovereignty 98 | Race Recap View Chart |
Sovereignty
98
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Sunday, Mar 2, 2025 |
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Journalism 108 | Race Recap View Chart |
Journalism
108
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Saturday, Mar 8, 2025 |
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Owen Almighty 92 |
Owen Almighty
92
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Saturday, Mar 15, 2025 |
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American Promiese | Race Recap |
American Promiese
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Saturday, Mar 22, 2025 |
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Saturday, Mar 22, 2025 |
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Saturday, Mar 29, 2025 |
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Saturday, Mar 29, 2025 |
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Saturday, Apr 5, 2025 |
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Saturday, Apr 5, 2025 |
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Saturday, Apr 5, 2025 |
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Saturday, Apr 12, 2025 |
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European Road to the Derby
Date | Race / Track / Distance | Winner | |||||||
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Saturday, Sep 28, 2024 |
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Hotazhell |
Hotazhell
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Saturday, Sep 28, 2024 |
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Wimbledon Hawkeye |
Wimbledon Hawkeye
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Sunday, Oct 6, 2024 |
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Camille Pissarro |
Camille Pissarro
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Saturday, Oct 26, 2024 |
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Hotazhell |
Hotazhell
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Friday, Feb 28, 2025 |
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Saturday, Apr 5, 2025 |
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Japan Road to the Derby
Date | Race / Track / Distance | Winner | |||||||
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Saturday, Nov 23, 2024 |
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Natural Rise |
Natural Rise
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Wednesday, Dec 11, 2024 |
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Myriad Love |
Myriad Love
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Sunday, Feb 16, 2025 |
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Saturday, Mar 22, 2025 |
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All Top Kentucky Derby News

Journalism, early Derby favorite, works half-mile at Santa Anita

Kentucky Derby: Rain could delay Journalism's work a few days

Kentucky Derby: Citizen Bull's name has some moving parts

Kentucky Derby 2025: Captain Cook on his toes getting ready for Wood Memorial

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 12, 2025

Kentucky Derby 2025: This year, Cox has the numbers but not the power

Pat Day Mile or Kentucky Derby? That's the question for Owen Almighty

Owen Almighty runs away with Tampa Bay Derby, owners now face big decision

Kentucky Derby 2025: Brown using Tampa Derby to get Chancer McPatrick rolling

Kentucky Derby 2025: Gaming pointed to Virginia Derby

Kentucky Derby 2025: Wilkes plowing ahead with Burnham Square

Kentucky Derby 2025: Baeza going all in for Santa Anita Derby

Kentucky Derby 2025: Journalism to return to track after electrifying win

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot who's not for March 5, 2025

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Journalism

Plans for Sovereignty, River Thames undecided after Fountain of Youth

Journalism's San Felipe victory caps special four-win day for McCarthy

After Gotham win, Cox has plenty of options for Flood Zone

Sovereignty catches River Thames at wire to spring surprise Fountain of Youth victory

Journalism upsets previously unbeaten Barnes in San Felipe Stakes

Flood Zone punches ticket to Kentucky Derby with upset in Gotham

Kentucky Derby 2025: Citizen Bull on target for Santa Anita Derby

Kentucky Derby 2025: Briley not in rush to decide on Coal Battle's next start

Kentucky Derby 2025: California Burrito moving on to Jeff Ruby

Kentucky Derby 2025: After two disappointing runs, Baffert regroups with Gaming

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 26, 2025

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Burnham Square

Coal Battle proves himself again; wears down Madaket Road for Rebel score

Solid field of eight drawn for Fountain of Youth showdown

California Burrito holds off Baby Max to win Battaglia Memorial

Kentucky Derby 2025: Cox hopes for hot pace in Rebel

Kentucky Derby 2025: Baeza looks to leap from maiden victory to Santa Anita Derby

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 19, 2025

Kentucky Derby 2025: Caesars the last Vegas sportsbook to offer fixed-odds futures

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Sandman

With storm approaching, Oaklawn rearranges calendar; Rebel Day is now Sunday

Kentucky Derby 2025: Cyclone State early favorite in Saudi Derby

Getaway Car noses out Caldera in thrilling Sunland Derby stretch run

Coal Battle, Speed King headline 14-horse Rebel Stakes field

Magnitude in fine shape after Risen Star shocker

Magnitude ($88.40) roars with dominating upset of Risen Star

Pletcher Derby hopeful Vassimo tests positive for betamethasone

Citizen Bull made 6-1 favorite in fourth Kentucky Derby future pool

Getaway Car highlights field of nine for Sunland Park Derby

John Hancock likely to skip Tampa Bay Derby, Cox says

East Avenue tops field of 13 for Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds

John Hancock makes statement with narrow victory in Sam F. Davis Stakes

Kentucky Derby 2025: Godolphin has four good shots in bid for first win

Kentucky Derby 2025: After minor setback, Journalism back on track

Kentucky Derby 2025: Baffert could run two in Saudi Derby

Kentucky Derby 2025: First Resort trying to catch up on missed training

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Citizen Bull

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 5, 2025

Kentucky Derby 2025: Cox still high on Patch Adams

Garcia expecting great things of Citizen Bull after Robert Lewis triumph

Dutrow says timing just right as Captain Cook targets Wood Memorial

Burnham Square makes statement with Holy Bull triumph

Citizen Bull returns with easy score in Robert B. Lewis

Captain Cook fires quick Withers time to start on Kentucky Derby trail

Speed King ($30.60) scores 20 more Kentucky Derby points with Southwest victory

Gaming draws the rail for 3-year-old debut in Southwest Stakes

Cox unbothered by Disco Time's slow time in Lecomte win

Lecomte runner-up Built to bypass Risen Star, wait for Louisiana Derby

Disco Time rallies wide, gets up in time to take Lecomte

Catalano not afraid of Built's outside post in Lecomte

Lecomte Stakes: Built could be favorite in 14-horse field, maybe ....

Coal Battle, after Smarty Jones triumph, points to Rebel Stakes next

Cyclone State likely to skip Withers; eyes Saudi Derby, Gotham, or Fountain of Youth

Coal Battle adds more Derby points with third straight win in Smarty Jones

Cyclone State scores stakes-debut Jerome victory

Baffert, McCarthy well stocked for California road to Kentucky Derby

Strategy pays off as Built triumphs in Gun Runner Stakes

Coal Battle grabs Derby points with Springboard Mile upset

Journalism writes his way into divisional picture with Los Alamitos Futurity win

Poster noses Aviator Gui in Remsen, capping big week for trainer Harty

First Resort continues progress, takes Kentucky Jockey Club

Breeders' Cup Juvenile: Baffert not setting plans for Citizen Bull, Gaming just yet

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile: Baffert lands record victory with gate-to-wire score by Citizen Bull

First Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool opens Wednesday

Sovereignty goes last to first in Street Sense

Chancer McPatrick goes from last to first to stay unbeaten in Champagne Stakes

Citizen Bull punches ticket to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in American Pharoah Stakes

Jonathan’s Way picks up first Derby points in Iroquois

Road to the Derby Series tweaked for 2025

2025 Virginia Derby moved to dirt, added to Kentucky Derby trail
Kentucky Derby Point Standings
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the American Triple Crown series for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds. Held each year at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May, the race track has presented the Kentucky Derby continuously since 1875. The Kentucky Derby is run at the distance of 1 1/4 miles and is arguably the most famous horse race in the world.
Horses compete in the Kentucky Derby after qualifying through a series of preparatory races known as the Road to the Kentucky Derby. These stakes races are held at racetracks across the country and award Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers. The Kentucky Derby starters and contenders are comprised of the horses with the most qualifying points, with two of the 20 spots reserved for the top qualifiers from the European and Japanese Road to the Derby qualifying events.
The Kentucky Derby has many traditions, including drinking mint juleps, wearing festive hats, and singing "My Old Kentucky Home" as the horses enter the track. Its sister race, the Kentucky Oaks, exclusively for 3-year-old fillies, takes place the day before the Kentucky Derby, on the first Friday in May. Both Oaks Day and Derby Day are treated as local holidays in Louisville.
The horse who wins the Kentucky Derby receives a blanket of red roses, the official flower of the Kentucky Derby. The race is commonly referred to as the “Run for the Roses.”
The winning horse in the Kentucky Derby becomes the only horse eligible to complete that year's Triple Crown, by running in and winning the two other legs of the series. The middle "jewel" is the Preakness Stakes two weeks later at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, and the final leg is the Belmont Stakes three weeks after the Preakness at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. In 2024 and 2025, the Belmont Stakes will be held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. due to ongoing renovations at Belmont Park.
List of Recent Kentucky Derby Winners
Year | Horse/Trainer | Horse | Trainer | Beyer |
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2024 |
Kenny McPeek
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Mystik Dan | Kenny McPeek | 100 |
2023 |
Gustavo Delgado
|
Mage | Gustavo Delgado | 105 |
2022 |
Eric Reed
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Rich Strike | Eric Reed | 101 |
2021 |
Brad Cox
|
Mandaloun | Brad Cox | 101 |
2020 |
Bob Baffert
|
Authentic | Bob Baffert | 105 |
2019 |
Bill Mott
|
Country House | Bill Mott | 99 |
2018 |
Bob Baffert
|
Justify | Bob Baffert | 103 |
2017 |
Todd Pletcher
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Always Dreaming | Todd Pletcher | 102 |
2016 |
Doug O'Neill
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Nyquist | Doug O'Neill | 103 |
2015 |
Bob Baffert
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American Pharoah | Bob Baffert | 105 |
2014 |
Art Sherman
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California Chrome | Art Sherman | 97 |
2013 |
Shug McGaughey
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Orb | Shug McGaughey | 104 |
Q: Who is eligible to run?
The Kentucky Derby is open only to the favorite 3-year-old horses that are nominated to the Triple Crown series, and have earned enough qualifying points.
Q: How do horses earn qualifying points in the Kentucky Derby?
Horses earn qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby through a series of prep races run September – April at multiple tracks across the country. Points available for the races range from 1-100, depending on the quality of the race and where the horse finishes. View the full list of “Road to the Kentucky Derby” qualifying races at left.
Q: How many horses can start in the Kentucky Derby?
Currently a maximum of 20 horses can run in the Kentucky Derby. The largest field was 23 horses (1974) for the 100th running of the Kentucky Derby. The smallest field was just 3 horses (1892 and 1905).