I tipped the 1,113-1 Kentucky Derby trifecta last year - here are my three for 2025 race
The tipster who predicted the one-two-three finish to the 2024 Kentucky Derby has announced her picks for this year's race. The Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville before a TV audience of millions.
Picking the winner of the first leg of the US Triple Crown series is never easy with the last three winners returning at odds of 186-10, 152-10 and 81-1. Yet one expert managed to find last year's winner Mystik Dan and not only that, picked the next two past the post.
In a blanket finish, decided by two noses, Mystik Dan defeated Sierra Leone and Forever Young. Combined they paid a trifecta dividend ot $1,113.84 to a $1 stake.
There was no fluke as Kaitlin Free, who is a reporter and analyst based in Kentucky, had given her picks and explained her thinking in an interview with Carlos Morales, host of the hispanic racing channel Agentes305, who shared it in a viral post on X, watched 1.2 million times.
Morales tracked Free down again at Churchill Downs to get her latest thoughts on Saturday's big race and she suggested the outcome of this year's race may be a little bit more 'cut and dried' than in 2024.
'My two A's in this race are going to be Journalism and Sovereignty,' she said. 'I think they are everyone's A's. Luxor Cafe is one I have danced around a little bit.
'Journalism is one of the most well-rounded candidates to come into the Kentucky Derby in recent years, kind of a la American Pharoah or California Chrome. I think he really stands out in this race, not necessarily from a physical standpoint but also mentally.
'Everything as far as the hoop-la of the Kentucky Derby, I don't think it's going to bother him whereas it's going to bother some others.
'The pace, he's tactical but he definitely has that late closing kick. I think he is going to be able to get the jump on all the other closers in the race. Umberto Rispoli just has to stay on and keep him out of a lot of trouble. So it's Journalism for me on top.'
She continued: 'Sovereignty is a horse that's continued to do well. I didn't mind his run in the Florida Derby. I think it makes his price better. I believe he is third or fourth choice and that's more than fair value.
'He's a horse that's a little bit tough to ride, a little quirky, and I think Junior Alvarado is the perfect fit for him. I think this horse way moves up, getting back under Junior Alvarado. I think that's a difference maker. I really think this horse is the strongest of all the closers in this field. So look for him to be running late at the mile-and-a-quarter. It's definitely going to be his friend.
'At the price I am going to throw in, like I threw in Mystik Dan last year and happened to get lucky, is Chunk Of Gold. Coming in from Turfway Park, that's his base. He ran in Louisiana races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Ethan West said the distance is not going to be a problem for this horse. He is a dirt horse more so than an all-weather type of horse.
'He has a funky action over the all-weather that straightens out a bit in the Kentucky Derby dirt. Jareth Loveberry, like Brian Hernandez Jr, is a ground-saving type of rider. We saw him win it almost on Two Phills with Mage. He is a perfect fit for a horse like Chunk Of Gold who does a remind me a bit of Two Phills.
'He told us coming in off his most recent work on Chunk Of Gold that the gallop out gave him chills.'
She added: 'I'm not as high on Luxor Cafe as I was for Forever Young last year but on numbers and figures he is very comparable. If he can bring that form in Japan to here, he is a player too.'
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Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
The Murrayfield mix-up that sparked one of sport's most iconic stadium trends
The a cappella singing of Flower of Scotland, now a global sporting tradition, began by accident at Murrayfield 16 years ago The sound of more than 65,000 fans belting out Flower of Scotland without a single note of musical accompaniment has become one of the most spine-tingling traditions in world sport. Yet few realise that the iconic a cappella second verse, now copied at major sporting events from Major League Baseball to the Kentucky Derby, began by accident at Murrayfield 16 years ago. Scottish Rugby has revealed the remarkable story as part of its new Murrayfield Memories campaign, launched to celebrate the stadium's centenary year. The initiative invites supporters from across Scotland and around the world to share their most memorable moments at the national stadium, whether from rugby, football, concerts or once-in-a-lifetime events. The anthem tradition dates back to a 2008 Six Nations clash with France, when a misunderstanding between matchday staff and pipers threatened to derail proceedings. Instead, it created a piece of sporting history. Julie Beels, now events lead at Scottish Rugby, was a 21-year-old freelance producer at the time. Tasked with co-ordinating rehearsals, flag bearers and live calls on the day, she recalls the panic when the music stopped after just one verse. She said: 'It's funny to look back on now, but at the time I thought I'd lose my job. We'd only played both verses before, and at the sound check the pipe band asked if we wanted it once or twice and I said, 'Once is fine, it's only the sound checks'. I thought they knew we'd play both verses for real ahead of the match. 'Minutes later, the pipers stopped playing after the first verse of the anthem and my heart just sank. There I was, in front of 67,000 people, thinking, 'That's it. I'm done. 'But the crowd just kept singing, louder and louder, completely unaccompanied. It gave me goosebumps. From there, it grew a special following. Scotland has never had an anthem singer because at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, the crowd is the singer. It reached a new level that day.' She added: 'It could, and probably should, have been the worst moment of my career, but instead it's the highlight. It's amazing the way it's now done around the world, but I can't help but think 'hey, that's our thing!'' The anthem alone could not inspire Scotland to victory that afternoon, Jason White's side fell 27-6 to France, but the atmosphere it created left a lasting legacy. At first, the a cappella second verse was saved for sell-out matches. Over time, it became a permanent fixture, spreading beyond rugby into football and overseas sporting arenas. Clips of Murrayfield crowds singing unaccompanied have since amassed millions of views on YouTube. Chris Paterson, Scotland's record points-scorer, was among the substitutes that day and remembers the impact on the players. He said: 'The game was pretty forgettable, but the memory of the anthem that day is still vivid. I can remember initially thinking it must be a mistake and being a bit confused but as we sang through the second verse the noise rose and the connection with those in the stadium grew. I then assumed it must have been deliberate! Whether you're a player, coach, fan, or watching at home, it's special. "It's an amazing part of what it means to be part of Scottish rugby. It always makes me smile when I see and hear it done at other events and venues across the world.' The launch of Murrayfield Memories will see stories collected into an online archive, with selected submissions included in the official Centenary Programme later this year. Contributions from Scottish greats and international stars such as Mathieu Bastareaud, Bryan Habana and Quade Cooper will feature alongside fan accounts, reflecting the stadium's global resonance. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The centenary will be marked during the Quilter Nations Series this November, when Scotland host the USA, New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga. The clash with the All Blacks on 8 November will serve as the official Centenary Test. Mark Laidlaw, Scottish Rugby's Director of Stadium Development and Operations, said: 'Scottish Gas Murrayfield has been the backdrop to so many iconic moments, from Calcutta Cup triumphs and Grand Slam glory to unforgettable gigs by Oasis, David Bowie, Tina Turner, Taylor Swift and more. It's a place where families, friends and even whole countries come together to create memories that last a lifetime. 'We want to hear from the millions of people who've helped make the stadium what it is over the past 100 years, whether it's a historic win or the concert you waited 30 years to see. These memories are worth keeping for the next generation and we will be capturing and promoting them this year to continue our Centenary celebrations.'
STV News
3 days ago
- STV News
Murrayfield anthem mix-up that sparked worldwide stadium trend recalled
Scottish Rugby has revealed the singing of an a cappella second verse of Flower Of Scotland at international matches began with a 'mistake' that initially led one member of staff to fear she would lose her job. On the 100th anniversary of Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scottish Rugby explained that what has now become a worldwide stadium trend began with a mix-up between event organisers and musicians ahead of a 2008 Six Nations clash between Scotland and France. Scottish Rugby events lead Julie Beels, who was then working as a freelance entertainment producer at the stadium, said the misunderstanding which led the pipe band to stop playing mid-way through the anthem happened during a sound check ahead of the match. 'It's funny to look back on now, but at the time I thought I'd lose my job,' the 39-year-old said. 'We'd only played both verses before, and at the sound check the pipe band asked if we wanted it once or twice and I said, 'Once is fine – it's only the sound checks'. I thought they knew we'd play both verses for real ahead of the match. 'Minutes later, the pipers stopped playing after the first verse of the anthem and my heart just sank. There I was, in front of 67,000 people, thinking, 'That's it. I'm done'. 'But the crowd just kept singing – louder and louder – completely unaccompanied. It gave me goosebumps. From there, it grew a special following. 'Scotland has never had an anthem singer because at Scottish Gas Murrayfield the crowd is the singer. It reached a new level that day.' Ms Beels, who was 21 at the time, added: 'It could – and probably should – have been the worst moment of my career, but instead it's the highlight. 'It's amazing the way it's now done around the world, but I can't help but think 'hey – that's our thing'.' The anthem did not inspire a win that day – a Jason White-skippered Scotland fell 27-6 to Les Bleus – but the atmosphere it created proved unforgettable. PA Media Chris Paterson, centre, said the anthem that day had been 'special'. Initially the a cappella version was kept only for major games with sell-out crowds, but it has now become a permanent fixture at the ground, with visiting teams and even football crowds adopting the idea. Videos of the Murrayfield anthem have become an online sensation, racking up millions of views on sites like YouTube. The idea has also been replicated in sports around the world, from Major League Baseball to the Kentucky Derby. Scotland record points-scorer Chris Paterson, who was part of the squad that day, said it had been a 'special' moment. 'The game was pretty forgettable, but the memory of the anthem that day is still vivid,' he said. 'I can remember initially thinking it must be a mistake and being a bit confused, but as we sang through the second verse the noise rose and the connection with those in the stadium grew. 'I then assumed it must have been deliberate. Whether you're a player, coach, fan, or watching at home – it's special. It's an amazing part of what it means to be part of Scottish rugby. 'It always makes me smile when I see and hear it done at other events and venues across the world.' Scottish Rugby is calling on supporters to share their memories of the national stadium to mark its centenary, which will be celebrated during this year's Quilter Nations Series. Scotland will face the USA, New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga on consecutive weekends, with the All Blacks clash on Saturday November 8 being earmarked as the centenary test. Mark Laidlaw, Scottish Rugby's director of stadium development and operations, said: 'Scottish Gas Murrayfield has been the backdrop to so many iconic moments – from Calcutta Cup triumphs and Grand Slam glory to unforgettable gigs by Oasis, David Bowie, Tina Turner, Taylor Swift and more. 'We want to hear from the millions of people who've helped make the stadium what it is over the past 100 years – whether it's a historic win or the concert you waited 30 years to see.' To submit your Murrayfield Memory, visit Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
The Murrayfield anthem mix-up that sparked worldwide stadium trend
Scottish Rugby events lead Julie Beels, who was then working as a freelance entertainment producer at the stadium, said the misunderstanding which led the pipe band to stop playing mid-way through the anthem happened during a sound check ahead of the match. 'It's funny to look back on now, but at the time I thought I'd lose my job,' the 39-year-old said. 'We'd only played both verses before, and at the sound check the pipe band asked if we wanted it once or twice and I said, 'Once is fine – it's only the sound checks'. I thought they knew we'd play both verses for real ahead of the match. 'Minutes later, the pipers stopped playing after the first verse of the anthem and my heart just sank. There I was, in front of 67,000 people, thinking, 'That's it. I'm done'. 'But the crowd just kept singing – louder and louder – completely unaccompanied. It gave me goosebumps. From there, it grew a special following. 'Scotland has never had an anthem singer because at Scottish Gas Murrayfield the crowd is the singer. It reached a new level that day.' Julie Beels, Event Lead, Scottish Rugby (Image: SNS Group) Ms Beels, who was 21 at the time, added: 'It could – and probably should – have been the worst moment of my career, but instead it's the highlight. 'It's amazing the way it's now done around the world, but I can't help but think 'hey – that's our thing'.' The anthem did not inspire a win that day – a Jason White-skippered Scotland fell 27-6 to Les Bleus – but the atmosphere it created proved unforgettable. Initially the a cappella version was kept only for major games with sell-out crowds, but it has now become a permanent fixture at the ground, with visiting teams and even football crowds adopting the idea. Videos of the Murrayfield anthem have become an online sensation, racking up millions of views on sites like YouTube. The idea has also been replicated in sports around the world, from Major League Baseball to the Kentucky Derby. Scotland record points-scorer Chris Paterson, who was part of the squad that day, said it had been a 'special' moment. READ MORE: 'The game was pretty forgettable, but the memory of the anthem that day is still vivid,' he said. 'I can remember initially thinking it must be a mistake and being a bit confused, but as we sang through the second verse the noise rose and the connection with those in the stadium grew. 'I then assumed it must have been deliberate. Whether you're a player, coach, fan, or watching at home – it's special. It's an amazing part of what it means to be part of Scottish rugby. 'It always makes me smile when I see and hear it done at other events and venues across the world.' Chris Paterson, former Scotland rugby captain. (Image: SNS Group / SRU) Scottish Rugby is calling on supporters to share their memories of the national stadium to mark its centenary, which will be celebrated during this year's Quilter Nations Series. Scotland will face the USA, New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga on consecutive weekends, with the All Blacks clash on Saturday November 8 being earmarked as the centenary test. Mark Laidlaw, Scottish Rugby's director of stadium development and operations, said: 'Scottish Gas Murrayfield has been the backdrop to so many iconic moments – from Calcutta Cup triumphs and Grand Slam glory to unforgettable gigs by Oasis, David Bowie, Tina Turner, Taylor Swift and more. 'We want to hear from the millions of people who've helped make the stadium what it is over the past 100 years – whether it's a historic win or the concert you waited 30 years to see.'
