Kentucky Derby 2025 – Field, Odds, Horses, Tips, and Betting Preview

One of the time-honoured races on the world racing calendar is the Kentucky Derby (2012m) and the 2025 edition this Sunday morning shapes up to be a beauty.

Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Kentucky Derby.

2025 Kentucky Derby Runner Preview:

1. Citizen Bull: Was comfortably held in the Santa Anita Derby and suspect something similar will eventuate here.

2. Neoequos: Sat on speed and was game in defeat in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park but I can’t see him measuring up here.

3. Final Gambit: He is the one I want to back each way. He has come through easier races, but his win last time was dominant and he is a horse who will get back, sit off what will likely be a brutal speed, and with luck getting clear air, he’ll be strong late and is the each way bet.

4. Rodriguez: Strong on speed win at Aqueduct last time and does have the Bob Baffert polish but I have others ahead of him.

5. American Promise: Sat on speed and gave them an absolute spanking in the Virginia Derby last time. This looks much harder though.

6. Admire Daytona: Always have to respect the Japanese but I don’t think he’s here as a top-class horse despite a last start Meydan win, where those on speed were advantaged.

7. Luxor Cafe: He’s the pick of the Japanese. He has won four on end, the latest seeing him stalk the speed before angling clear and making a mess of them at Nakayama. Gets the ideal rider for a stalking run in Joao Moreira and 2000m should be fine.

8. Journalism: Lot of quality about his win in the Santa Anita, stalking the speed before cutting loose and gee he was impressive the way he put them away. Deserved favourite… could I get him that short though? No.

9. Burnham Square: Gave them a start and a beating to win the Blue Grass at Keeneland. Another that will sit back, be strong late and he can win.

10. Grande: Didn’t mind his finale in defeat behind Rodriguez at Aqueduct. He’ll be spotting them a start but can certainly entertain him for wider exotics.

11. Flying Mohawk: He ran second to Final Gambit in the race mentioned above, getting back and was good late without threatening. Not sure he can turn the tables.

12. East Avenue: He ran second to Burnham Square at Keeneland, sitting on speed and tried hard. Good racing style, but doubt he can sit on the high pressure and kick again.

13. Publisher: He is a maiden but a win wouldn’t shock at all. He was incredible in defeat in the Arkansas Derby after getting a mile back. If he can get a drag into the race, I reckon he’ll run a beauty at a big price.

14. Tiztastic: Lot of quality about his Louisiana Derby triumph where he got back and rounded them up. Good test here… just not sold on him at 2000m.

15. Render Judgment: Held in the Blue Grass and is a deserved outsider.

16. Coal Battle: The tick for him is that he has versatility re racing style. The knock is that I think he lacks the class.

17. Sandman: He’s a live chance. He won the Arkansas Derby last time, giving them a start and an absolute beating in a sharp display. Has that sense of timing and 2000m should be no issue.

18. Sovereignty: Got back and made up decent headway late in the piece in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream. He’ll be strong late… just depends what start he concedes.

19. Chunk Of Gold: Solid effort in the Louisiana Derby but not sure he is up to these.

20. Owen Almighty: Plain in the Blue Grass. Not for me against these.

21. Baeza: Tried hard in the Santa Anita Derby but was held late. Can’t see him turning the tables on Journalism.

2025 Kentucky Derby $100 Betting Strategy:

$20 Win / $80 Place Final Gambit SP

2025 Kentucky Derby Speed Map

There looks to be a host of go forward horses here, which should generate a very strong tempo. I can see several horses wanting to lead, namely (in saddlecloth order), 1-2-4-5-6-12-20, which should mean a fast run race.