24-04-2025
Kentucky Derby field 2025: Meet the horses in Run for the Roses
Kentucky Derby field 2025: Meet the horses in Run for the Roses
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Kentucky Derby 2025: Baffert's return, and Journalism is the horse to watch
Previewing the 151st Kentucky Derby, focusing on Journalism's chances and Bob Baffert's return.
One horse will stop and smell the roses in the Kentucky Derby Winner's Circle. Who will it be?
The 151st edition of the 'Run for the Roses" is set to kick off next week and a new champion will soon be crowned with a garland of roses at the legendary Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The field is made up of 20 horses.
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes (May 17) and Belmont Stakes (June 7). The Kentucky Derby is 1¼ miles long, approximately 2,200 yards. The Belmont Stakes is the longest of the three races at 1½ miles, while the Preakness Stakes is the shortest at 1 3/16 miles long.
Here's everything you need to know about this year's Kentucky Derby field:
When is the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 3. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles will give the iconic 'Rider's Up' command ahead of the race.
Horses competing in Kentucky Derby
The top 20 horses on the leaderboard will earn a spot at the starting gate at Churchill Downs. Points are earned through a series of designated races throughout the world, running from mid-September to March.
We won't know the official field until the post-position draw on Saturday, but here's a look at the top 20 thoroughbreds on the leaderboard, as of Wednesday evening:
Burnham Square Owner: Whitham Thoroughbreds Trainer: Ian Wilkes Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Sandman Owners: D.J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables Trainer: Mark Casse Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Journalism Owners: Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Robert LaPenta Trainer: Michael McCarthy Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Rodriguez Owners: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Mike Smith
Tiztastic Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Mrs. John (Susan) Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Joel Rosario
Tappan Street Owners: WinStar Farm LLC, CHC, Inc. and Cold Press Racing Trainer: Brad H. Cox Jockey: Luis Saez
Sovereignty Owner: Godolphin Trainer: William I. Mott Jockey: Manuel Franco
Final Gambit Owners: Juddmonte Trainer: Brad H. Cox Jockey: Luan Machado
Coal Battle Owner: Norman Stables LLC Trainer: Lonnie Briley Jockey: Juan P. Vargas
Chunk of Gold Owner: Terry L. Stephens Trainer: Ethan W. West Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
Citizen Bull Owners: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Martin Garcia
Owen Almighty Owners: Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing LLC Trainer: Brian Lynch Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
East Avenue Owner: Godolphin, LLC Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh Jockey: Luan Machado
Publisher Owners: King, Gus and Estate of Brereton C. Jones Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen Jockey: Flavien Prat
American Promise Owner: BC Stables LLC Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas Jockey: Nik Juarez
Flying Mohawk Owners: Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing LLC and Kaleta Racing Trainer: D. Whitworth Beckman Jockey: Joseph D. Ramos
Grande Owner: Repole Stable Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher Jockey: Dylan Davis
Built Owner: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners Trainer: Wayne M. Catalano Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Luxor Cafe Owner: Koichi Nishikawa Trainer: Noriyuki Hori Jockey: N/A
Admire Daytona (JPN) Owner: Junko Kondo Trainer: Yukihiro Kato Jockey: N/A
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.
You can also stream the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Fubo and Peacock.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
