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USA Today
03-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Neoequos trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse
Neoequos trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse Show Caption Hide Caption Kentucky Derby 2025 contender Neoequos trains at Churchill Downs Watch Kentucky Derby 2025 contender Neoequos train on April 28 at Churchill Downs. Trainer is Saffie Joseph Jr. Horse is 2-2-2 in seven starts. Neoequos will enter the Kentucky Derby off a third-place finish in the Florida Derby on March 29 Neoequos will try to become the first Florida-bred to win the Kentucky Derby since Silver Charm in 1997 Neoequos 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. Neoequos will enter the Kentucky Derby off a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 29 at Gulfstream Park. He currently ranks 17th on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 40. Color: Bay. Bred in: Florida. Sire: Neolithic. Dam: Bold Birdie, by Birdstone. Price tag: $22,000 at 2023 Ocala Breeders' October Yearling Sale. Owners: C2 Racing Stable (Clint and Mark Cornett); Ian Parsard; Shining Stables; Stefania Farms. This is the second Derby for C2 Racing Stable, which finished 16th with White Abarrio in 2022. It's the first Derby for the others. Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. He's 0 for 3 in the Derby, best finish coming with Ny Traffic (eighth) in 2020. Jockey: Luis Saez. He's 0 for 11 in the Derby, best finish coming with Essential Quality (third) in 2021. Record: 2-2-2 in seven starts. Career earnings: $291,050. Road to the Kentucky Derby points: 40 (No. 17). Last race: Third in Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 29 at Gulfstream Park. Running style: At or near the front early. Notes: All seven of Neoequos' races have come at Gulfstream Park. He finished third in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on March 1 before matching that result in the Florida Derby. … Neolithic, the sire of Neoequos, earned $2.2 million over his career but was distance-challenged and never won a race longer than 1 1/16 miles. … Six Florida-breds have won the Kentucky Derby, the last being Silver Charm in 1997. What they're saying: 'The distance (of the Kentucky Derby) is still a question mark, but he keeps running well enough and fast enough on the figures to keep going and try,' Joseph said. 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. Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@ Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ. More horse racing: Here's how Journalism, likely Kentucky Derby favorite, got his name from a former editor
New York Times
01-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Analyzing the 2025 Kentucky Oaks field: Favorites, contenders and long shots
'Lilies for the Fillies' isn't quite as well-known as 'Run for the Roses,' but the blanket of lilies that drapes over the winner of the Kentucky Oaks is no less coveted by those with connections to the 14 fillies running Friday at Churchill Downs. Last year's winner, Thorpedo Anna, went on to win Horse of the Year honors and end 2024 with earnings of $3.6 million. While we can't expect another super-filly to emerge from this year's Oaks, we can expect a competitive race and plenty of opportunities to cash tickets. Advertisement Below is a full breakdown of the field for this year's Kentucky Oaks, in post position order. Owner: C2 Racing Stable, Ken Reimer, Paul Braverman, Timothy Pinch, and Bradley Kent Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. Jockey: Edgard Zayas Morning line odds: 30-1 This long shot has compiled a decent record, finishing out of the top three only once in six races, but that's the headline, not the story. She's won just once; she took four races to break her maiden; and she's never run in a race at nearly this level. She did finish second by a nose in her only attempt in a graded stakes race — her last out on April 5 — and the horse that beat her, Ballerina d'Oro, is in the Oaks field. Early On's speed figures place her far below what is likely to be competitive here. Owner: Grantley Acres, Ryan Conner, Berkels0813, and CMNWLTH Trainer: Whit Beckman Jockey: Florent Geroux Morning line odds: 10-1 One of the many fillies here who likes to use her speed to gain an early advantage, though she did come from behind to win her first start. Trainer Beckman opted to skip the usual maiden race for her debut, running her in a minor stakes race at Fair Grounds in New Orleans. She won an Oaks prep race there in January — over a sloppy track — and was second to Quietside, a serious contender here, in her only loss. She intrigues at what's likely to be a moderate price, though her short résumé might be a concern. Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables Trainer: Graham Motion Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Morning line odds: 30-1 Graham Motion isn't the sort of trainer to run a horse just to take a shot, and he's known to spring an upset at a favorable price. That said, Fondly is up against it. She's run just twice, winning both, and she had no problem moving from seven furlongs to a mile and 1/16th, suggesting the increased distance may not be a problem. She's never run in a graded stakes race or against company like this, but she's shown she can stalk a pace if necessary. With one of the country's best jockeys in the saddle and one of its most esteemed trainers behind her, don't overlook her, especially underneath in vertical exotics. Advertisement Owner: Legion Racing Trainer: Whit Beckman Jockey: Ben Curtis Morning line odds: 30-1 The second of two horses in the Oaks trained by Louisville's Whit Beckman, Drexel Hill looks to be significantly outmatched. Despite making seven starts, she's never run in a graded stakes race, nor has she raced beyond a mile. She is a closer in a field of speed horses, which could be an advantage, but unless something changes between now and Friday, she's just not fast enough. Owner: Greenwell Thoroughbreds Trainer: Tom Amoss Jockey: Umberto Rispoli Morning line odds: 30-1 This $550,000 yearling purchase looked like a promising filly last year as a 2-year-old. Trainer Amoss started her at two of the country's most prestigious, competitive meets at Saratoga and Keeneland, and she ended the year with a record of one win, one second and two thirds in four races. In two starts this year, she's not the same filly, winless so far in 2025 and really not competitive. She'll need a major turnaround to hit the board here. Owner: Rodeo Creek Racing Trainer: Chad Brown Jockey: Flavien Prat Morning line odds: 10-1 She comes to the race off the narrowest of wins in the Grade 3 Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct in early April, her first win since breaking her maiden last September. She's been a factor, though, finishing second in the Grade 2 Demoiselle last December, and she finished third in her first start this year off a three-month layoff. She's a versatile runner, comfortable stalking or coming from off the pace, and her speed figures say she can run with her rivals here. Owner: Tracy Farmer Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Dylan Davis Morning line odds: 6-1 She's been running in top company since breaking her maiden at Saratoga last summer, and aside from a fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, she's done pretty much nothing wrong. She's won two out of three this year, finishing second once, and she's got two graded stakes wins to her credit, including her last race, the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. She didn't run well in her lone start on an off track (which was also her first start), so maybe tread cautiously if the rains come. Advertisement Owner: Gatsas Stables Trainer: George Weaver Jockey: Manuel Franco Morning line odds: 12-1 Speedy and consistent, this filly has met every challenge thrown at her (except for that stinker of a first start back in August). She's won on turf. She's won on dirt. She relishes distance, and she racked up Oaks qualifying points, finishing fifth on the final leaderboard. She's another wanting to run on or close to the pace, and her speed figures are among the best in the field. She'll be on my tickets. Owner: Baoma Corporation Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Juan Hernandez Morning line odds: 12-1 Bob Baffert is back at Churchill Downs. The Hall of Fame trainer was banned by the track for three years after his horse, Medina Spirit, failed a post-race drug test after winning the 2021 Kentucky Derby. No one will be surprised if he's back in the Louisville winner's circle that he knows so well. However, Baffert's not known for training closers, and this $850,000 filly is also not a closer — though she did come from off the pace in two early races. If she can rate in anticipation of a possible speed duel, she's poised to add to her already substantial trophy collection. She's won five of six starts, including four graded stakes. Owner: James Ball, Magdalena Racing, and Kenneth Rhodes Trainer: Ken McPeek Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Morning line odds: 12-1 A year ago, trainer Ken McPeek brought a modestly bred $40,000 filly to this race, and eight months later, that horse, Thorpedo Anna, was voted Horse of the Year. This filly cost $60,000, though her breeding is a little more impressive, and while she's no Thorpedo Anna, she's run well against her rivals here, aside from a clunker in the Grade 3 Honeybee at Oaklawn Park in February. She's got a versatile running style, and while a win might be out of reach, she should be competitive if she's in top form. Given that multiple outlets have reported that she's dealing with a foot abscess, that's a big 'if,' so proceed cautiously. Advertisement Owner: Godolphin Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Luis Saez Morning line odds: 6-5 Undefeated in six starts, she's never been seriously challenged, winning by multiple lengths even as the competition got stiffer and the distances got longer. She won an allowance race by 17 lengths over a sloppy track, and her stalking/closing style is pretty well suited for a race with this much speed. 6-5 is tough to take in a race like this, so I'm happy to let her beat me, but this is one impressive filly. Owner: Bell Racing Trainer: Carlos David Jockey: Junior Alvarado Morning line odds: 30-1 Three months ago, this filly was winless and running in maiden claimers, the lowest tier of racing. She claimed for $50,000, and after winning an optional claimer for new trainer Carlos David, she ran second in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks, earning enough points to eke into the Oaks field. She'll be on or close to the pace, and her speed figures since being claimed suggest that she can run with these fillies, something unimaginable a few months ago. Owner: Cypress Creek Equine and Madaket Stables Trainer: Will Walden Jockey: John Velazquez Morning line odds: 30-1 This filly will indeed need to be blessed to have a shot. She's never run in a graded stakes race, and her speed figures are well below what she'll need to be competitive. An off track might move her up a bit, and her stalking/closing style could be useful, but there's nothing on paper that suggests that she'll factor. Owner: Shortleaf Stable Trainer: John Ortiz Jockey: José Ortiz Morning line odds: 8-1 Quietside is an ultra-competitive filly that's never finished worse than third in seven lifetime starts. A multiple stakes winner, she's run in top company since breaking her maiden at Saratoga by 6 1/4 lengths, earning enough Oaks qualifying points to top the final leaderboard at the end of the prep season. This far outside post does her no favors, but she's the one I'm taking. She's got a shot to beat Good Cheer.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kentucky Oaks 2025: post position draw results and morning line odds
Kentucky Oaks 2025: post position draw results and morning line odds On the Friday before the first Saturday in May, Churchill Downs will light up for the running of the 2025 Kentucky Oaks. The Lilies for the Fillies — and its $1.25 million purse — features another stacked field this year. Famed trainers Brad Cox, Chad Brown, Joseph Saffie Jr., Kenneth McPeek and, yes, Bob Baffert all have horses in the field this year. Baffert makes his return to Churchill Downs following a three-year doping suspension and will be one of the biggest stories all week long as he seeks a record-breaking seventh Kentucky Derby victory. But that's on Saturday. So let's take a look at how they'll line up on Friday for the 2025 Kentucky Oaks. 1. Early On Morning Line Odds: 30-1 Trainer: Joseph Saffie Jr. Jockey: Javier Castellano Owner(s): C2 Racing Stable, Ken Reimer, Bradley Kent 2. Simply Joking Morning Line Odds: 10-1 Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman Jockey: Jaime Torres Owner(s): Grandley Acres, Ryan Conner 3. Fondly Morning Line Odds: 30-1 Trainer: H. Graham Motion Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Owner(s): Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners 4. Drexel Hill Morning Line Odds: 30-1 Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman Jockey: Ben Curtis Owner(s): Legion Racing 5. Quickick Morning Line Odds: 30-1 Trainer: Thomas Amoss Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione Owner(s): Greenwell Thoroughbreds, LLC 6. Ballerina D'Oro Morning Line Odds: 10-1 Trainer: Chad Brown Jockey: Dylan Davis Owner(s): Rodeo Creek Racing 7. La Cara Morning Line Odds: 6-1 Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Dylan Davis Owner(s): Tracy Farmer 8. Five G Morning Line Odds: 12-1 Trainer: George Weaver Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione Owner(s): Gatsas Stables 9. Tenma Morning Line Odds: 12-1 Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Juan HernandezOwner(s): Baoma Corp 10. Take Charge Milady Morning Line Odds: 12-1 Trainer: Kenneth McPeek Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Owner(s): James Ball, Magdalena Racing, Kenneth and Sherri McPeek 11. Good Cheer Morning Line Odds: 6-5 Trainer: Brad H. Cox Jockey: Luis Saez Owner(s): Godolphin 12. Anna's Promise Morning Line Odds: 30-1 Trainer: David Carlos Jockey: Luis Saez Owner(s): Bell Racing LLC 13. Bless The Broken Morning Line Odds: 30-1 Trainer: William Walden Jockey: Axel Concepcion Owner(s): Cypress Creek Equine, Madaket Stables, LLC. 14. Quietside Morning Line Odds: 8-1 Trainer: John Alexander Ortiz Jockey: Jose Ortiz Owner(s): Shortleaf Stable This story will be updated
