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USA Today
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
East Avenue trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse
East Avenue trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse Show Caption Hide Caption Bob Baffert: Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown championships and controversy Horse racing trainer Bob Baffert has multiple Kentucky Derby wins, two Triple Crown champions, and a career marked by both triumph and controversy. East Avenue will enter the Kentucky Derby off a runner-up finish in the Blue Grass Stakes on April 8 at Keeneland East Avenue was the favorite in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile but finished ninth after stumbling at the start East Avenue is one of 20 horses expected to enter the 2025 Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs. Spots for the Run for the Roses are earned by gaining points through a series of Kentucky Derby prep races that began last September. The post-position draw for the Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, April 26. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. East Avenue will enter the Kentucky Derby off a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes on April 8 at Keeneland. He currently ranks 13th on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 60. Color: Bay. Bred in: Kentucky. Sire: Medaglia d'Oro. Dam: Dance Music, by Ghostzapper. Price tag: Homebred. Owner: Godolphin (Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum). Godolphin is 0 for 12 in the Derby, best finish coming with Essential Quality (third) in 2021. Trainer: Brendan Walsh. He's 0 for 1 in the Derby, finishing ninth with Plus Que Parfait in 2019. Jockey: Manny Franco. He's 0 for 5 in the Derby, best finish coming with Tiz the Law (second) in 2020. Record: 2-1-0 in five starts. Career earnings: $654,395. Road to the Kentucky Derby points: 60 (No. 13). Last race: Second in Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes on April 8 at Keeneland, a nose behind Burnham Square. Running style: Front-runner. Notes: East Avenue won his first two starts as a 2-year-old and was the 9-5 favorite in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last November but stumbled badly at the start and finished ninth. He finished 10th in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in his 3-year-old debut before rebounding as the runner-up in the Blue Grass. … All three of East Avenue's in-the-money finishes have come in Kentucky — two at Keeneland and one at Ellis Park. … Medaglia d'Oro, East Avenue's sire, raced in all three Triple Crown races in 2002, finishing fourth in the Kentucky Derby, eighth in the Preakness and second in the Belmont. He went on to win six graded stakes, including the 2002 Travers, and was the runner-up as the favorite in the 2002 and 2003 Breeders' Cup Classics. What they're saying: 'I loved how he battled,' Walsh said after the Blue Grass. 'He looked down the straight like he was going to fold, and he didn't fold. I think it's a good sign for the future, and I think he's a horse that can still improve.' Last May, NBC Sports announced a partnership with Churchill Downs to present the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032. The extension includes multiplatform rights to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Derby and Oaks Day programming, which will be presented on NBC, Peacock, USA Network and additional NBCU platforms. You can stream the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Fubo and Peacock. Post time for the 151st Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. More Kentucky Derby: Five things to know about 2025 field as draw approaches April 26 Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@ Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
USA Today
03-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Owen Almighty trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse
Owen Almighty trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse Show Caption Hide Caption Kentucky Derby 2025 contender Owen Almighty trains at Churchill Downs Owen Almighty is trained by Brian Lynch. Horse is 3-2-0 in seven starts. Jockey Javier Castellano is slated to ride. Owen Almighty will enter the Kentucky Derby off a sixth-place finish in the Blue Grass on April 8 Owen Almighty broke his maiden at Churchill Downs last June Owen Almighty is one of 20 horses expected to enter the 2025 Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs. Spots for the Run for the Roses are earned by gaining points through a series of Kentucky Derby prep races that began last September. The post-position draw for the Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, April 26. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. Owen Almighty will enter the Kentucky Derby off a sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes on April 8 at Keeneland. He currently ranks 11th on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 65. Color: Bay. Bred in: Kentucky. Sire: Speightstown. Dam: Tempers Rising, by Bayern. Price tag: $350,000 at 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale. Owner: Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing (Travis Boersma). First Derby. Trainer: Brian Lynch. He's 0 for 1 in the Derby, finishing 11th with Classic Causeway in 2022. Jockey: Javier Castellano. He's 1 for 16 in the Derby, winning with Mage in 2023. Record: 3-2-0 in seven starts. Career earnings: $499,935. Road to the Kentucky Derby points: 65 (No. 11). Last race: Sixth in Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes on April 8 at Keeneland. Running style: At or near the front early. Notes: Following the Blue Grass, Lynch announced plans to enter Owen Almighty in the $600,000, Grade 2 Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard. But those plans changed April 16 when Lynch informed Churchill Downs officials that Owen Almighty once again was on the Kentucky Derby trail. … Owen Almighty has enjoyed success at Churchill Downs, breaking his maiden there last June and finishing second behind Jonathan's Way in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes on Sept. 14. He won the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby on March 8 before faltering in the Blue Grass. His ability to get the 1 ¼-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby is a big question mark. … Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr. have been the primary jockeys for Owen Almighty, but both have committed to riding other horses in the Kentucky Derby. ... Boersma — the second-richest billionaire in Oregon, according to the annual Forbes list of the world's wealthiest people — is the co-founder of the coffee company, Dutch Bros. What they're saying: 'He had the perfect trip and had every chance to make it his race, but he came up a little empty when we needed it,' Lynch said after the Blue Grass. Last May, NBC Sports announced a partnership with Churchill Downs to present the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032. The extension includes multiplatform rights to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Derby and Oaks Day programming, which will be presented on NBC, Peacock, USA Network and additional NBCU platforms. You can stream the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Fubo and Peacock. Post time for the 151st Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. More Kentucky Derby: Five things to know about 2025 field as draw approaches April 26 Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@ Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
Miami Herald
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Who should you bet on in the 2025 Kentucky Derby? Here's what the experts say
The 2025 Kentucky Derby is Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, and the Herald-Leader has asked horse racing experts around the country for their top handicapping picks going into the big race. Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism is the favorite, with Florida Derby runner-up Sovereignty and Arkansas Derby winner Sandman next on the morning line, and Blue Grass Stakes winner Burnham Square, Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez and Japanese star Luxor Cafe among the other top contenders. Here's a look at the predictions from our panel, which included some long-shot bets. John Clay Herald-Leader Win: Journalism Place: Sovereignty Show: Sandman Comment: We need outstanding Journalism now more than ever. Ben Roberts Herald-Leader Win: Sovereignty Place: Journalism Show: Publisher Comment: Like the running style, like the progression, like the connections and think Sovereignty is sitting on the biggest race of his career this weekend. Cameron Drummond Herald-Leader Win: East Avenue Place: Sandman Show: Tiztastic Comment: East Avenue is part of a hot early pace, and the longshot bet finally shows some consistency with a big effort to hold off late-running Sandman and Tiztastic, with the top-three finishers all coming from the outside of the 20-horse field. Caroline Makauskas Herald-Leader Win: Sandman Place: Journalism Show: Luxor Cafe Comment: No stranger to Churchill Downs, Sandman raced three times at the track as a 2-year-old and finished third in the Grade 3 Street Sense back in October. The closer is hitting his stride, most recently winning the Arkansas Derby by 2 1⁄2 lengths over fellow Run for the Roses horse Publisher on March 29. Frank Angst BloodHorse Win: Journalism Place: Sovereignty Show: Grande Comment: Journalism is undefeated in two-turn races and has improved in each of his career efforts. In winning the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby last out, he overcame some trouble in the backstretch. That toughness should come in handy in the Kentucky Derby. His breeding, Curlin—Mopotism, by Uncle Mo, suggests 1 ¼ miles will be in his wheelhouse, and I look for him to take another step forward Saturday. Rick Bozich WDRB Win: Sovereignty Place: Burnham Square Show: Sandman Comment: There is a reason Bill Mott has been in a fantastic mood. He's got a thunderous colt. Steve Byk At the Races Win: Journalism Place: Burnham Square Show: Baeza Comment: Journalism arrives for Derby as the most imposing favorite in several years, possessing a heady combination of speed and power with a style that fits the anticipated race flow. Barring unforeseen trouble, he'll win handily. John Cherwa Los Angeles Times Win: Journalism Place: Rodriguez Show: Sandman Comment: Journalism proves he's the real deal by biding his time to the quarter pole, where Umberto Rispoli starts to take aim at the front-running Rodriguez. He gets him a few strides from the wire to win and start the Triple Crown talk. Ed DeRosa Horse Racing Nation Win: Journalism Place: Chunk of Gold Show: Baeza Comment: There are two kinds of favorites in the Kentucky Derby: Default favorites in that someone has to be favored and deserving favorites in that this horse has demonstrated a legit claim to the best of his generation. Journalism is in the latter camp, which is why I'm so bullish on his chances on Saturday at Churchill Downs. His San Felipe Stakes victory was the best prep performance of the year, and he overcame trouble to win the Santa Anita Derby. Because I'm so heavy on the favorite here, I'm using long shot Chunk of Gold liberally in my trifecta wagers. Joe Drape New York Times Win: Journalism Place: Sovereignty Show: Luxor Cafe Comment: What a great name? Bill Finley National turf writer Win: Sandman Place: Burnham Square Show: Journalism Comment: He took a step backward in the Rebel but rebounded with an impressive score in the Arkansas Derby. Has the right running style to win. Jason Frakes Courier Journal Win: Journalism Place: Rodriguez Show: Baeza Comment: I hate picking the favorite, but it's hard to go against Journalism when you've worked in the newspaper business for 30 years. Kaitlin Free Churchill Downs Win: Journalism Place: Luxor Cafe Show: Sovereignty Comment: Seems peerless in this race, standing alone numbers and figures wise. Ability to stop and start will be key. Neil Greenberg Washington Post Win: Rodriguez Place: Luxor Cafe Show: Tiztastic Comment: Rodriguez's early speed and pedigree, which includes Kentucky Derby winner Authentic and versatile sire Into Mischief, gives him the rare blend of speed, stamina and toughness needed to prevail in the Run for the Roses. David Grening Daily Racing Form Win: Journalism Place: Sovereignty Show: Burnham Square Comment: Despite racing in short fields, Journalism can be placed where he needs to be and showed in the Santa Anita Derby he is athletic enough to get out of trouble. Has looked sensational in the mornings at Churchill. Steve Haskin National turf writer Win: Sovereignty Place: Journalism Show: Grande Comment: I can't separate the top two so going for the bigger price, but watch out for Grande — my price horse. Luxor Cafe, Chunk of Gold, Final Gambit, and American Promise the bombs. Brooks Holton Courier Journal Win: Journalism Place: Sandman Show: Rodriguez Comment: Bob Baffert is back, and my gut tells me he'll at least get on the board. Rodriguez sets the pace, then Journalism and Sandman duel down the stretch. Byron King BloodHorse Win: Sovereignty Place: Journalism Show: Luxor Cafe Comment: Sovereignty is a powerful late finisher who should relish the mile and a quarter distance of the Kentucky Derby. Tim Layden NBC Sports Win: Journalism Place: Sandman Show: Sovereignty Comment: Journalism is proven and professional, and should like both his post position and the pace up front. Also: You gotta love the name. Tom Leach Keeneland Win: Journalism Place: Citizen Bull Show: Burnham Square Comment: I was all set to pick against Journalism until he worked his way out of a traffic jam on the final turn of the Santa Anita Derby and ran down a very good horse who was loose on an easy lead. I love horses who have Derby winner-caliber talent but also show the ability to handle adversity. Ray Paulick The Paulick Report Win: Publisher Place: Journalism Show: Sovereignty Comment: The last time a maiden (a horse that has never won a race) won the Kentucky Derby was Brokers Tip in 1933, but Arkansas Derby runner-up Publisher has improved with every start and is sitting on a big effort to give Steve Asmussen his first victory in the Run for the Roses. Mike Penna Horse Racing Radio Network Win: Journalism Place: Sovereignty Show: Burnham Square Comment: Journalism has proven himself to be the best of his crop. A clean trip and he is probably the winner, but late-running Sovereignty and Burnham Square could make things interesting in the late stages. Jennie Rees Kentucky HBPA Win: Journalism Place: Sovereignty Show: Tiztastic Comment: This is not a hunch bet; I'm just tired of unsuccessfully trying to beat California horses that are favored. Journalism is the fastest horse, has a good post and running style to stay out of trouble and is bred to go long. Comparative long shot (besides Tiztastic at 20-1) would be Burnham Square (12-1) getting another rail-skimming ride from Brian Hernandez Jr. Kenny Rice NBC Sports Win: Journalism Place: Sandman Show: Tiztastic Comment: Trainer Michael McCarthy shines in his biggest moment. Nicole Russo Daily Racing Form Win: Burnham Square Place: Journalism Show: Sandman Comment: Blue Grass winner Burnham Square appears to be absolutely thriving in his training and peaking at the right time, a key part of the Kentucky Derby alchemy. Tim Wilkin National turf writer Win: Sovereignty Place: Journalism Show: Rodriguez Comment: Expect to see Sovereignty's long stride to eat up ground quickly in the Churchill Downs stretch and overtake Journalism, who had taken the lead after disposing of pace survivor Rodriguez. Should be another nail biter in America's most famous horse race.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What time is Kentucky Derby post-position draw? When Run for the Roses odds will be set
The highly anticipated 151st Kentucky Derby, which will feature Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert for the first time in four years, is less than two weeks away. The Kentucky Derby post-position draw is Saturday, April 26, when horse owners, trainers, jockeys and fans will learn which gates the thoroughbreds will start from in the Run for the Roses. Last year, Mystik Dan won the Run for the Roses from post No. 3. Advertisement Burnham Square leads the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 130 points after the Derby prep races. The Ian Wilkes trainee's last win was in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. In his career, Burnham Square has three first-place finishes in six starts. Here is everything you need to know about the Kentucky Derby post-position draw this weekend: What time is the Kentucky Derby draw? The post-position draw will start at approximately 7:25 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. Where is the Kentucky Derby draw? The draw will take place at Churchill Downs on the second-floor terrace. What time is Kentucky Oaks draw? The Kentucky Oaks draw will start at approximately 7:15 p.m. at Churchill Downs on Saturday, April 26. Advertisement Reach sports reporter Prince James Story at pstory@ and follow him on X at @PrinceJStory. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby drawing for post positions: Time Churchill Downs, odds
NBC Sports
17-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
2025 Kentucky Derby odds: Betting, full field, expert analysis, jockeys, trainers, and fun facts
The field is set for the 151st Kentucky Derby and while the Run for the Roses is not until May 3 and the draw does not even happen until April 26, storylines are emerging. Legendary trainer Bob Baffert's return to the Kentucky Derby tops the list. Back at Churchill Downs for the first time in three years following his suspension due to a failed post-race drug test involving his horse, Medina Spirit, after the 2021 Kentucky Derby, Baffert returns with multiple entries (Citizen Bull, Madaket Road, Rodriguez). Journalism is the current favorite followed by Sovereignty and Sandman, but the field features speed beyond those three thoroughbreds. Keep in mind, the favorite has won the Kentucky Derby just under 35% of the time since 1908 (40 times). In fact, the favorite has failed to secure a victory the last five years. Because the Run for the Roses remains a race where surprises are common, and longshots often emerge victorious, lets dive into the field for 2025. NBC Sports' horse racing analyst Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) offers his thoughts on the contenders and once post positions are drawn on April 26, he will be back offering his favorite plays. The following is a snapshot of each horse in the field including their lineage, jockey, trainer, and career highlights on their path to the 151st Kentucky Derby. (Horses listed in alphabetical order) Sire: Drefong Jockey: Christophe Lemaire | Trainer: Yukihiro Kato Career Highlight: Won the UAE Derby Fun Fact: Admire Daytona was the top points earner on the European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby Sire: Justify Jockey: Nik Juarez | Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas Career Highlight: Won the 2025 Virginia Derby Fun Fact: The phrase 'American Promise' is also associated with a handful of moments leading to the passage of the Voting Rights Act. Sire: Liam's Map Jockey: Brian T. Hernandez, Jr. | Trainer: Ian R. Wilkes Career Highlight: Won the 2025 Blue Grass Stakes Fun Fact: Burnham Square's grandfather is 1990 Derby winner Unbridled Sire: Preservationist Jockey: Jareth Loveberry | Trainer: Ethan W. West Career Highlight: Placed second at the 2025 Louisiana Derby Fun Fact: This is Loveberry's second Derby ride. He rode Two Phil's to a second-place finish in 2023. Sire: Into Mischief Jockey: Martin Garcia | Trainer: Bob Baffert Career Highlight: Won the 2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fun Fact: This will be Garcia's 5th Derby. His best finish was third in 2015 aboard Dortmund. Sire: Coal Front Jockey: Juan P. Vargas | Trainer: Lonnie Briley Career Highlight: Won the 2025 Rebel Stakes Fun Fact: Both of Coal Battle's parents, Coal Front and Wolfblade, are descendants of Seattle Slew. Sire: Medaglia d'Oro Jockey: Luan Machado | Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh Career Highlight: Second in the 2025 Blue Grass Stakes Fun Fact: Medaglia d'Oro, East Avenue's sire, raced in all three Triple Crown races in 2002, finishing fourth in the Kentucky Derby, eighth in the Preakness and second in the Belmont. Sire: Not This Time Jockey: Luan Machado | Trainer: Brad H. Cox Career Highlight: Won the 2025 Jeff Ruby Steaks Fun Fact: The Kentucky Derby will be Final Gambit's first race on dirt. Sire: Karakontie Jockey: Joseph D. Ramos | Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman Career Highlight: Second in the 2025 Jeff Ruby Steaks Fun Fact: The Kentucky Derby will be Flying Mohawk's first race on dirt. Sire: Curlin Jockey: John Velazquez | Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher Career Highlight: Rallied from seventh for a second-place finish in the Wood Memorial to qualify for the Derby Fun Fact: Pletcher and Velazquez teamed up to win the Derby with Super Saver in 2010 and Always Dreaming in 2017. Jockey: Umberto Rispoli | Trainer: Mike McCarthy Career Highlight: Won the 2025 Santa Anita Derby Fun Fact: Curlin has sired winners of the Preakness, Belmont Stakes, and Breeders' Cup Classic but not the Kentucky Derby Sire: American Pharaoh Jockey: TBA | Trainer: Noriyuki Hori Race Highlight: Won the 2025 Fukuryu Stakes Fun Fact: Luxor Cafe won three stakes races in Japan to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. Trainer and horse making their first starts outside of Japan. Sire: Quality Road Jockey: Mike E. Smith | Trainer: Bob Baffert Career Highlight: Finished second in the Rebel Stakes Fun Fact: Baffert's 1st of 5 Kentucky Derby wins was with Silver Charm in 1997. Sire: Speightstown Jockey: TBA | Trainer: Brian Lynch Career Highlight: Won the Tampa Bay Derby with the 2nd fastest time in the history of the race Fun Fact: Irad Ortiz, Jr. rode Owen Almighty at Tampa but the ride is in question for the Derby. Sire: American Pharoah Jockey: Flavien Prat | Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen Career Highlight: Finished second in the Arkansas Derby Fun Fact: Asmussen is the winningest trainer of all-time amassing over 10,000 victories as a trainer Sire: Maclean's Music Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr. | Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher Career Highlight: Finished second in the Fountain of Youth Stakes Fun Fact: River Thames has never run a race the length of the Kentucky Derby (1 1/4 miles). Sire: Authentic Jockey: Michael E. Smith | Trainer: Bob Baffert Career Highlight: Won the 2025 Wood Memorial Fun Fact: Both of Rodriguez' victories have come in wire-to-wire fashion, and he figures to be at or near the front early in the Kentucky Derby. Sire: Tapit Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz | Trainer: Mark Casse Career Highlight: won the 2025 Arkansas Derby Fun Fact: Tapit is the No. 1 active sire by lifetime Grade 1 winners, and the All-Time leading sire by earnings. Jockey: Manuel Franco | Trainer: William I. Mott Career Highlight: Won the 2025 Fountain of Youth Fun Fact: Mott was the trainer of Resilience who finished sixth in the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Jockey: Luis Saez | Trainer: Brad H. Cox Career Highlight: Won the 2025 Florida Derby Fun Fact: Tappan Street upset Sovereignty to win the Florida Derby. Sire: Tiz the Law Jockey: Joel Rosario | Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen Career Highlight: Won the 2025 Louisiana Derby Fun Fact: Asmussen's father was a jockey, and his two sons are currently jockeys. As the Derby approaches and the Draw is announced, NBC Sports will keep you up to speed on the latest news from Churchill Downs as the best in horse racing make their final preparations in an effort to claim the coveted blanket of roses.
