Kentucky Derby 2025 betting odds, favorites, post positions and free picks.

Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism has been named the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the 2025 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Trained by Michael McCarthy, Journalism got the No. 8 post in a full field of 20 during Saturday’s night’s draw for the $5 million, Grade 1 Kentucky Derby.

Post time is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. The race will be televised by NBC.

Sovereignty, runner-up in the Florida Derby, is the second choice in the morning line at 5-1 odds. Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott, drew the No. 18 post.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has two top contenders in Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez and 2-year-old champion Citizen Bull. Baffert is tied with Ben Jones with a record six Kentucky Derby victories but was suspended from entering the race from 2022-24.

A total of 21 horses were entered, with Santa Anita Derby runner-up Baeza on the also-eligible list. If one of the top 20 horses is scratched before 9 a.m. Friday, Baeza can take his place.

2025 Kentucky Derby post positions, horse, trainer, jockey, odds

PP Horse Jockey Odds - Updated 30 April

1. Citizen Bull Martin Garcia 15-1

2. Neoequos Flavien Prat 61-1

3. Final Gambit Luan Machado 17-1

4. Rodriguez Mike Smith 10-1

5. American Promise Nik Juarez 10-1

6. Admire Daytona Christophe Lemaire 38-1

7. Luxor Cafe Joao Moreira 15-1

8. Journalism Umberto Rispoli 7-2

9. Burnham Square Brian Hernandez Jr. 22-1

10. Grande John Velazquez 17-1

11. Flying Mohawk Joe Ramos 40-1

12. East Avenue Manny Franco 35-1

13. Publisher Irad Ortiz Jr. 31-1

14. Tiztastic Joel Rosario 19-1

15. Render Judgement Julien Leparoux 13-1

16. Coal Battle Juan Vargas 33-1

17. Sandman Jose Ortiz 5-1

18. Sovereignty Junior Alvarado 12-1

19. Chuck of Gold Jareth Loveberry 40-1

20. Owen Almighty Javier Castellano 39-1

Also eligible

21. Baeza, John Shirreffs, Flavien Prat, 48-1

Earlier this year, Churchill Downs announced the purse for the 2025 Derby would be an all-time high of $5 million, up from the $3 million in prize money that had been up for grabs since 2019.

The $5 million will be split among the top five finishers in the Derby, with $3.1 million for the winner, $1 million for the runner-up, $500,000 for third place, $250,000 for fourth place and $150,000 for fifth place.

When is the Kentucky Derby?

The Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 3. The 151st Run for the Roses will be race No. 12 of the 14-race slate. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles will give the iconic “Rider's Up” command ahead of the race.

How to watch the 2025 Kentucky Derby

The 151st edition of the Kentucky Derby will be broadcast on NBC, which has served as the home of the annual “Run for the Roses" since 2001. NBC Sports signed a multi-year extension with Churchill Downs last year to carry the Kentucky Derby through 2032.