Latest news with #151thKentuckyDerby
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
2025 Kentucky Derby: Two Triple Crown Winners' Sons To Compete
Publisher trains on the track during morning work outs prior to the running of the 151st Kentucky ... More Derby at Churchill Downs on May 01, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by) American Pharoah is still leaving his mark on horse racing, a decade beyond his 2015 triple crown achievement. But he's not the only one, as Justify, a 2018 triple crown winner, is right with him. For the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, two horses sired by American Pharoah will enter the field, Publisher and Luxor Café, and Justify's son, American Promise, also joins the race, giving the famed kick off to the triple crown three sons of two past winners in the same race. As reported by the Courier Journal after sourcing info from this becomes just the second time since 1919 that two triple crown winners' sons are in the same Kentucky Derby, and the first time since 1952 it has happened. It's all thanks to American Pharoah and Justify. American Pharoah, 13-year-old bred in Kentucky, trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Ahmed Zayat and Zayat Stables, was sired by Pioneerof the Nile. He won the triple crown in 2015 after a successful 2014. Now, in 2025, both Publisher and Luxor Café bear his bloodlines. Luxor Cafe runs on the track during the morning training in preparation for the 151th Kentucky Derby ... More at Churchill Downs on April 29, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by) Publisher, owned by Gus King and the estate of Brereton C. Jones, was sired by American Pharoah and Indian Pride was the dam thanks to the breeding of Brereton C. Jones. Publisher is trained by Steven Asmussen. MORE: Inside Churchill Downs, From Millionaire's Row To The Paddock Club Luxor Café, owned by Koichi Nishikawa and trained by Koriyuki Hori was bred by Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt & Westerberg Ireland. With American Pharoah the sire, Marry's Follies is the dam. According to the Courier Journal, these are the first of the famed American Pharoah's offspring to find their way into the starting gate in Louisville at the Kentucky Derby, even if Promiseher America, a daughter, ran in the Kentucky Oaks in 2023 (she finished last). American Promise trains on the track prior to the running of the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill ... More Downs on May 01, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by) Justify, a 10-year-old bred in Kentucky and trained by Baffert, was sired by Scat Daddy and had a powerful 2018. American Promise is now in the 2025 race, owned by BC Stables and trained by Wayne Lukas. Bred by Candy Meadows, American Promise was sired by Justify and the dam was Tapella. MORE: The 20 Horses Competing In The 2025 Kentucky Derby This is the third straight year a son of Justify has entered the Kentucky Derby, with three horses in the last two years never finishing higher than 16th. While Justify's offspring have been a part of recent races, the Courier Journal reports that the last time a direct descendent of a triple crown winner entered the Kentucky Derby before that was Quintana, sone of Affirmed, in 1991. Getting two sons, though, that's a 1952 event when runner-up Sub Fleet and Count Flame were both sired by Count Fleet, and Cold Command, sired by War Admiral, were all in the top-nine finishers. The entries of Publisher and Luxor Café put American Pharoah on track to be the third horse other than Count Fleet and Justify having two sons in the same Kentucky Derby field. Three times in the sport's history has the son of a triple crown winner won the Kentucky Derby. That happened first in 1935 when Omaha, son of Gallant Fox, took home the roses. Count Turf, son of Count Fleet, won the derby in 1951, and Seattle Slew's son Swale won it in 1984. In 2025, three horses with triple crown bloodlines can add to the historic list.
Toronto Sun
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Kentucky Derby 2025 odds, post positions, favourites and analysis
Journalism, the Santa Anita Derby champion, is the morning-line favourite (3-1) Published Apr 28, 2025 • 9 minute read Journalism runs on the track during the morning training in preparation for the 151th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 25, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo by Andy Lyons / Getty Images North America The Run for the Roses will return May 3, a year after a captivating photo finish, the closest three-horse photo finish at the Kentucky Derby since 1947. Twenty of the top 3-year-olds in the country will again break from the gate at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, each chasing a place in racing history at the 151st edition of this classic. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Journalism, the Santa Anita Derby champion, is the morning-line favourite (3-1). He has won four straight races, three of which were graded stakes, at three different tracks and is backed by an elite pedigree (by Curlin, the American Horse of the Year in 2007 and 2008, and out of a dam tied to Nyquist, winner of the 2016 Kentucky Derby). With triple-digit speed figures, tactical versatility and consistent improvement, he fits the profile of a Derby winner. His only question mark is handling a large field for the first time. Trainer Bob Baffert is set to make his return to the Derby after serving a three-year suspension, handed down when 2021 Kentucky Derby runner Medina Spirit failed a drug test. His two entries – Rodriguez and Citizen Bull – were among the top 10 in the points standings for this year's Run for the Roses. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. One horse from the European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby and one from the Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby also will be competing in this year's first Triple Crown race. Admire Daytona won the UAE Derby and will be the representative from the European/Middle East Road. Luxor Café, a son of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, won the Fukuryu Stakes in March to secure his spot in the Derby via the Japanese qualifying series. Below, we break down the odds and post positions, with a few insights to help you handicap this year's Derby contenders. Post time: Saturday, 6:57 p.m. Eastern TV: NBC – – – Citizen Bull walks back to the barn during the morning training in preparation for the 151th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 25, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo by Andy Lyons / Getty Images North America No. 1 Citizen Bull (20-1) Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia Citizen Bull has amassed a commendable record, with notable victories in the Grade I American Pharoah Stakes, the Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile and the Grade III Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Citizen Bull aims to become the third Kentucky Derby winner sired by Into Mischief, following Authentic (2020) and Mandaloun (2021). Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. – – – No. 2 Neoequos (30-1) Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr. Jockey: Flavien Prat Neoequos – in the field after Built decided to run in the Grade II Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard – has tactical speed, consistent graded stakes form and sharp recent workouts. Plus, he is an overachiever who could be among the first four finishers in his first race away from Gulfstream Park. Neoequos has twice earned third-place finishes at double-digit odds in graded stakes races, and he has two other second-place finishes at odds of 5-1. – – – No. 3 Final Gambit (30-1) Trainer: Brad H. Cox Jockey: Luan Machado Final Gambit is trying to make a name for himself, but he has never run on dirt and his pedigree suggests he is more suited for the traditional 1½ miles of the Belmont Stakes rather than the 1¼ miles of the first leg of the Triple Crown. Still, Cox's mounts ridden by Machado have won 40 percent of their races in the past 60 days, returning a profit of $1.79 for every $2 wagered to win, per Brisnet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. – – – Rodriguez is washed during the morning training in preparation for the 151th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 25, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo by Andy Lyons / Getty Images North America No. 4 Rodriguez (12-1) Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Mike E. Smith Rodriguez secured his place in the Derby with a victory in the Grade II Wood Memorial, leading from start to finish and drawing off to win by 3½ lengths. His sire, Authentic, is known for producing versatile runners, and Rodriguez's demonstrated early speed positions him as a potential pacesetter in the Derby. Among horses in this field, only No. 8 Journalism and No. 1 Citizen Bull have earned a higher Brisnet final speed figures than Rodriguez. – – – No. 5 American Promise (30-1) Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas Jockey: Nik Juarez American Promise, sired by 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify out of Tapit mare Tapella, boasts a pedigree rich in stamina and classic distance capabilities. He showed some of that when he dominated the ungraded Virginia Derby, completing 1⅛ miles at Colonial Downs in 1:46.41, a track record. However, the two times he was entered against graded stakes competition, he didn't finish better than fifth. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. – – – No. 6 Admire Daytona (30-1) Trainer: Yukihiro Kato Jockey: Christophe Lemaire Admire Daytona has already proved his mettle internationally with a tenacious victory in the Grade II UAE Derby over 1 3/16 miles, but the winner of that prep race hasn't gone on to claim the Kentucky Derby in 20 tries. – – – No. 7 Luxor Café (15-1) Trainer: Noriyuki Hori Jockey: Joao Moreira Luxor Café, a Japanese-based colt sired by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, dominated the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby with victories in the Hyacinth and Fukuryu Stakes. The recent crop of horses from Japan has appeared to get stronger and stronger, and Luxor Café will look to improve on Forever Young's third-place finish last year. – – – This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Trainer: Michael McCarthy Jockey: Umberto Rispoli The Curlin colt impressed with a 3½-length victory in the Grade II Los Alamitos Futurity and followed up with solid wins in the Grade II San Felipe Stakes and Grade I Santa Anita Derby. He's also won his third race off a layoff before, and McCarthy has a positive return on investment in those scenarios (18 cents for every $2 wagered over 72 races, per Brisnet). – – – No. 9 Burnham Square (12-1) Trainer: Ian R. Wilkes Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Burnham Square, sired by Liam's Map – a notable speedster and Grade I Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner – needs more stamina from his pedigree to convince me he can handle the Derby's 1¼-mile distance. His ability to close from behind, as seen in the Grade III Holy Bull Stakes, makes him a fringe contender if the pace of the race is swift, but even then he probably hangs on for a board hit rather than crossing the wire first. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. – – – No. 10 Grande (20-1) Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John R. Velazquez Grande has shown consistent improvement, culminating in a 101 Brisnet speed figure during his runner-up finish in the Grade II Wood Memorial. Trained by Pletcher, a two-time Derby winner, Grande should benefit from experienced guidance, while his tactical running style will allow flexibility in positioning during the race, which can be crucial in navigating the Derby's large field. – – – No. 11 Flying Mohawk (30-1) Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman Jockey: Joseph D. Ramos Flying Mohawk has two wins and two seconds in six starts, earning $295,800. He also has demonstrated versatility, winning on turf and synthetic surfaces. His pedigree leans heavily toward turf influences, with sire Karakontie excelling on grass and offering less success in producing dirt runners. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. – – – No. 12 East Avenue (20-1) Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh Jockey: Manny Franco East Avenue announced his presence with a gate-to-wire victory in the Grade I Breeders' Futurity. Then he faltered badly in the Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile (finishing ninth out of 10 horses as the favorite) and again in the Grade II Risen Star Stakes (10th out of 12 horses as the favorite). He got back on track with a second-place finish in the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes, albeit with a below-par final speed figure (97) for this upcoming event. Perhaps that's a signal his troubled times are behind him, but his wins have only occurred when he has been loose on the lead, something unlikely to happen Saturday. – – – No. 13 Publisher (20-1) Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Publisher's pedigree combines American Pharoah's proven stamina – which won the sire a Triple Crown – with Proud Citizen's influence, suggesting classic potential. Yet this colt is 0 for 7 for his career, failing to win races ranging in distance from seven furlongs to 1⅛ miles. Only 12 maidens have run in the Kentucky Derby since 1937, and if Publisher manages to win, he would become the fourth maiden to do so, following Buchanan (1884), Sir Barton (1919) and Brokers Tip (1933). – – – No. 14 Tiztastic (20-1) Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen Jockey: Joel Rosario Tiztastic, a dark bay colt by Tiz the Law out of Keesha (by Tapit), brings a notable blend of speed and stamina to his Kentucky Derby aspirations. His victory in the Grade II Louisiana Derby showcased his ability to handle longer distances and competitive fields. Unfortunately, Tapit has never produced a Derby winner, and Asmussen is 0 for 26 with Derby contenders, although he does have three second-place finishes and two thirds. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. – – – No. 15 Render Judgment (30-1) Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek Jockey: Julien Leparoux Render Judgment doesn't appear fast enough to compete in this race – his lifetime high Brisnet speed figure is 96, well short of the 103 typically needed to win races of this caliber – and his fifth-place finish in the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes, even at steep odds, indicates he may struggle against stronger contenders. – – – No. 16 Coal Battle (30-1) Trainer: Lonnie Briley Jockey: Juan P. Vargas Coal Battle gained attention with a win in the Grade II Rebel Stakes; however, his Brisnet final speed figure in his next race, the Grade I Arkansas Derby, declined by five points. You want to back a colt in improving or peaking form at the Kentucky Derby, not one that took a sizable step back in his final prep race. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. – – – Sandman runs on the track during the morning training in preparation for the 151th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 25, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. Photo by Andy Lyons / Getty Images North America No. 17 Sandman (6-1) Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: José L. Ortiz Sandman's pedigree, featuring Tapit and Distorted Humor, suggests he has the stamina and class to excel in the Kentucky Derby, and he emerged as a serious contender with his victory in the Grade I Arkansas Derby. Thanks in part to a fast pace in that race, he launched a rally around the far turn and stayed on strong to prevail by 2½ lengths. He also achieved a career-best Brisnet final speed figure (101), albeit under favorable conditions. – – – No. 18 Sovereignty (5-1) Trainer: William I. Mott Jockey: Junior Alvarado Sovereignty's pedigree includes notable sires such as Empire Maker (the grandsire of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah), Seeking the Gold (who sired 91 stakes winners, including five champions) and Seattle Slew (who won the Triple Crown in 1977), indicating strong genetic potential for classic distances. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. – – – No. 19 Chunk of Gold (30-1) Trainer: Ethan W. West Jockey: Jareth Loveberry Chunk of Gold has a closing running style but has not won on dirt in two tries. He has, however, nabbed two second-place finishes at odds of 10-1 and 40-1 in his past two starts. Perhaps that means he is an overachiever ready to take a spot among the top four, but he seems overmatched by this field. – – – No. 20 Owen Almighty (30-1) Trainer: Brian Lynch Jockey: Javier Castellano Owen Almighty, by Speightstown, was initially pulled from Kentucky Derby contention after finishing sixth in the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes in early April. But his ownership had a change of heart and decided to make a run for the roses after all. Owen Almighty's pedigree is balanced enough for a classic win, even if his résumé suggests he should be overmatched. Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs Canada World
New York Post
27-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Journalism is 3-1 morning line favorite for 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Red-hot Journalism is the 3-1 morning line favorite for the 151st Kentucky Derby with a favorable No. 8 post position that has tied for the second-most victories in the horse racing's marquee event. Sovereignty is the 5-1 second choice of 20 horses and will start from the No. 18 post outside Sandman, who drew the No. 17 spot on Saturday night and is the 6-1 third choice for the $5 million Grade 1 race at Churchill Downs. Bob Baffert's two entrants face longer odds in the Hall of Fame trainer's return to Churchill Downs after a four-year suspension. Advertisement Journalism is the 3-1 morning line favorite for the 151st Kentucky Derby with a favorable No. 8 post position. Getty Images Rodriguez is a 12-1 choice from the No. 4 post while Citizen Bull is a 20-1 longshot after drawing the No. 1 post. Journalism's spot drew the most attention for horse racing's marquee event on May 3 for 3-year-olds. Advertisement He has been the presumptive favorite with a four-race winning streak including both starts this year along with a fourth in his debut last fall at Santa Anita. The No. 8 spot has yielded nine wins in 94 starts since the starting gate was first used in 1930, tied for second most with the No. 10 post (88 starts). Journalism runs on the track during the morning training in preparation for the 151th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 25, 2025 in Louisville. Getty Images The No. 5 post has forged 10 victories in 95 starts. Advertisement Those other two spots went to Todd Pletcher-trained Grande (20-1, No. 10), while D. Wayne Lukas' American Promise is a 30-1 long shot from the No. 5. California-based Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy is coming off a 3/4-length victory over Baeza, an also-eligible Derby entrant, in the Grade 1 San Anita Derby on April 5, the bay colt's third straight graded stakes win that earned 122.5 points during the qualifying season, good for third.
Forbes
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Kentucky Derby 2025: Post Positions, Odds, And The Battle Inside
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - APRIL 26: Sandman runs on the track during the morning training in preparation for the 151th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 26, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by) Getty Images Returning to Churchill after serving his three-year ban, six-time Derby winner Bob Baffert notably drew the rail with his athlete Citizen Bull at Churchill Downs' post position soiree Saturday evening, and his arguably stronger entry, Rodriguez, was slotted just three stalls to the right, square in the four-hole. Both are talented horses, but they will be served the full Derby experience of having a ton of traffic to deal with pretty much instantly, next Saturday in Louisville. The morning line favorite at 3-1, Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, has drawn the 8-hole in Churchill's massive gate, with his nearest early-odds rivals, Sandman (6-1) and Sovereingty (5-1), booked into stalls 17 and 18, respectively. But before we dive into what those positions might offer those athletes, below, the full draw. (Post Position, Horse, Trainer, Jockey, Morning Line) 1. Citizen Bull, Bob Baffert, Martin Garcia, 20-1 2. Neoequos, Saffie Joseph Jr., Flavien Prat, 30-1 3. Final Gambit, Brad Cox, Luan Machado, 30-1 4. Rodriguez, Bob Baffert, Mike Smith, 12-1 5. American Promise, D. Wayne Lukas, Nik Juarez, 30-1 6. Admire Daytona, Yukihiro Kato, Christophe Lemaire, 30-1 7. Luxor Café, Noriyuki Hori, Joao Moreira, 15-1 8. Journalism, Michael McCarthy, Umberto Rispoli, 3-1 9. Burnham Square, Ian Wilkes, Brian Hernandez Jr., 12-1 10. Grande, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez, 20-1 11. Flying Mohawk, Whit Beckman, Joe Ramos, 30-1 12. East Avenue, Brendan Walsh, Manny Franco, 20-1 13. Publisher, Steve Asmussen, Irad Ortiz Jr., 20-1 14. Tiztastic, Steve Asmussen, Joel Rosario, 20-1 15. Render Judgment, Kenny McPeek, Julien Leparoux, 30-1 16. Coal Battle, Lonnie Briley, Juan Vargas, 30-1 17. Sandman, Mark Casse, Jose Ortiz, 6-1 18. Sovereignty, Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado, 5-1 19. Chunk of Gold, Ethan West, Jareth Loveberry, 30-1 20. Owen Almighty, Brian Lynch, Javier Castellano, 30-1 Also eligible 21. Baeza, John Shirreffs, Flavien Prat, 12-1 (Source: Churchill Downs, 4/26/2025)
