A run through the field: Odds and info on every 2025 Kentucky Derby contender
1. Citizen Bull
Odds: 20-1.
Jockey: Martin Garcia, 40. Mexico native has had four Derby starters and was third with Dortmund in 2015.
Trainer: Bob Baffert, 72. One of two trainers with six Derby wins, but Baffert was suspended from racing at Churchill Downs for the last three Derbys after Medina Spirit’s 2021 disqualification for a failed drug test.
Owners: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J. Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan.
Breeder: Robert and Lawana Low.
Pedigree: Into Mischief — No Joke by Distorted Humor.
Foaled: April 2, 2022.
2025: 2 starts. 1-0-0, $150,000.
2024: 4 starts. 3-0-1, $1,301,000.
2. Neoequos
Odds: 30-1.
Jockey: Luis Saez, 32. Panama native crossed the finish line first aboard Maximum Security in 2019, but the horse was disqualified. Best official finish in 11 Derby starts was third aboard Essential Quality in 2021.
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr., 38. Barbados native is 0-for-3 in the Derby. Best finish was eighth with NY Traffic in 2020.
Owners: C2 Racing Stable LLC, Ian Parsard, Shining Stables LLC, Stefania Farms LLC, Ken T. Reimer, Paul Braverman and Timothy Pinch.
Breeder: Helen and Joseph Barbazon, Matalona Thoroughbres LLC.
Pedigree: Neolithic — Bold Birdie by Birdstone.
Foaled: April 28, 2022.
2025: 3 starts. 1-0-2, $185,650.
2024: 4 starts, 1-2-0, $105,400.
3. Final Gambit
Odds: 30-1.
Jockey: Luan Machado, 30. Brazil native in line for first Derby start.
Trainer: Brad Cox, 45. Louisville native won the Derby via disqualification with Mandaloun in 2021.
Owners: Juddmonte.
Breeder: Juddmonte.
Pedigree: Not This Time — Pachinko by Tapit.
Foaled: Feb. 21, 2022.
2025: 3 starts. 2-1-0, $508,639.
2024: 1 start. 0-0-1, $12,000.
4. Rodriguez (SCRATCHED)
Odds: 12-1 before he was scratched with an injury Thursday
Jockey: Mike Smith, 59. Already the second-oldest jockey to win a Derby with his 2018 win on Justify, Smith would have had a chance to break Bill Shoemaker’s record for oldest jockey to win the race with a victory this year.
Trainer: Bob Baffert, 72. Baffert has started multiple horses in the Derby 10 times previously but not since 2019.
Owners: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan.
Breeder: Kingswood Farm, David Egan.
Pedigree: Authentic — Cayala by Cherokee Run.
Foaled: May 20, 2022.
2025: 4 starts. 2-1-1, $512,000.
2024: 1 start. 0-1-0, $10,800.
5. American Promise
Odds: 30-1.
Jockey: Nik Juarez, 31. Maryland native in line for first Derby start.
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas, 89. Hall of Famer has won four Derbys in 50 starts but none since 1999. Would be oldest trainer to win the Derby with a victory.
Owners: BC Stables LLC.
Breeder: Candy Meadows LLC.
Pedigree: Justify — Tapella by Tapit.
Foaled: May 1, 2022.
2025: 3 starts. 1-0-0, $335,000.
2024: 6 starts. 1-1-1, $109,874.
6. Admire Daytona
Odds: 30-1.
Jockey: Christophe Lemaire, 45. France native in line for third Derby. Best finish was sixth on Derma Sotogake in 2023.
Trainer: Yukihiro Kato, 59. Japan native in line for first Derby.
Owners: Junko Kondo.
Breeder: Northern Racing.
Pedigree: Drefong — Ice Pastel by Shackleford.
Foaled: March 17, 2022.
2025: 3 starts. 2-0-0, $636,409.
2024: 3 starts. 0-2-0, $35,638.
7. Luxor Cafe
Odds: 15-1.
Jockey: Joao Moreira, 41. Brazil native based in Hong Kong in line for first Derby.
Trainer: Noriyuki Hori, 57. Japan native in line for first Derby.
Owners: Koichi Nishikawa.
Breeder: Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt and Westerberg Ireland ULC.
Pedigree: American Pharoah — Mary’s Follies by More Than Ready.
Foaled: Feb. 26, 2022.
2025: 3 starts. 3-0-0, $323,003.
2024: 3 starts. 1-1-0, $56,054.
8. Journalism
Odds: 3-1.
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli, 36. Italy native in line for third Derby start. Best finish was ninth on Endlessly in 2024.
Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy, 54. Ohio native in line for second Derby start. Finished ninth with Endlessly in 2024.
Owners: Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Robert LaPenta, Mrs. John Magnier-Lessee, Derrick Smith-Lessee and Michael Tabor-Lessee.
Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation.
Pedigree: Curlin — Mopotism by Uncle Mo.
Foaled: Feb. 6, 2022.
2025: 2 starts. 2-0-0, $480,000.
2024: 3 starts. 2-0-1, $158,880.
9. Burnham Square
Odds: 12-1.
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr., 39. Louisiana native is 1-for-5 in the Derby, winning in 2024 on Mystik Dan.
Trainer: Ian Wilkes, 59. Australia native finished eighth with McCraken in 2017 in only previous Derby.
Owners: Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC.
Breeder: Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC.
Pedigree: Liam’s Map — Linda by Scat Daddy.
Foaled: April 9, 2022.
2025: 3 starts. 2-0-0, $927,325.
2024: 3 starts. 1-1-1, $50,430.
10. Grande (SCRATCHED)
Odds: 10-1 before he was scratched on Friday because of an injury,
Jockey: John R. Velazquez, 54. Puerto Rico native has three Derby wins in 26 starts, most recently with Authentic in 2020.
Trainer: Todd Pletcher, 57. Texas native holds Derby record for most starts (65). He has won twice: Super Saver (2010), Always Dreaming (2017).
Owners: Repole Stable.
Breeder: KatieRich Farms.
Pedigree: Curlin — Journey Home by War Front.
Foaled: March 9, 2022.
2025: 3 starts. 2-1-0, $228,200.
2024: None.
11. Flying Mohawk
Odds: 30-1.
Jockey: Joseph Ramos, 25. Puerto Rico native in line for first Derby start.
Trainer: Whitworth Beckman, 43. Beckman finished eighth with Honor Marie in his Derby debut in 2024.
Owners: Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing LLC and Kaleta Racing.
Breeder: John O’Meara.
Pedigree: Karakonite — Bonbons Fleur by Twirling Candy.
Foaled: Feb. 18, 2022.
2025: 2 starts. 1-1-0, $184,200.
2024: 4 starts. 1-1-0, $111,600.
12. East Avenue
Odds: 20-1.
Jockey: Manuel Franco, 30. Puerto Rico native’s best finish in five Derby starts was second on Tiz the Law in 2020.
Trainer: Brendan Walsh, 54. Ireland native finished ninth with Plus Que Parfait in only previous Derby in 2019.
Owners: Godolphin LLC.
Breeder: Godolphin.
Pedigree: Medaglia D’oro — Dance Music by Ghostzapper.
Foaled: Feb. 4, 2022.
2025: 2 starts. 0-1-0, $243,750.
2024: 3 starts. 2-0-0, $410,645.
13. Publisher
Odds: 20-1.
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr., 32. Puerto Rico native still looking for his first Derby win after eight previous starts. Best finish was fourth on Improbable in 2019.
Trainer: Steven Asmussen, 59. Two-time Eclipse Award winner has Derby record for most starts (26) without a victory by a trainer.
Owners: Gus King and Estate of Brereton C. Jones.
Breeder: Brereton Jones.
Pedigree: American Pharoah — Indian Pride by Proud Citizen.
Foaled: Feb. 6, 2022.
2025: 3 starts. 0-1-0, $355,000.
2024: 4 starts. 0-1-3, $52,756.
14. Tiztastic
Odds: 20-1.
Jockey: Joel Rosario, 40. Dominican Republic native has one Derby win (Orb, 2013) in 13 starts.
Trainer: Steve Asmussen, 59. In his 26 Derby starts, Asmussen has finished second three times: 2011 (Nero), 2018 (Lookin at Lee) and Epicenter (2022).
Owners: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.
Breeder: Capital Bloodstock.
Pedigree: Tiz the Law — Keesha by Tapit.
Foaled: April 30, 2022.
2025: 3 starts. 1-0-1, $730,000.
2024: 5 starts. 2-1-1, $819,900.
15. Render Judgment
Odds: 30-1.
Jockey: Julien Leparoux, 41. France native’s best finish in 14 Derby starts was fifth on Sedgefield (2007) and Danzig Moon (2015).
Trainer: Kenny McPeek, 62. Tates Creek High School and UK graduate won his first Derby in 2024 with Mystic Dan in his 10th start.
Owners: Baccari Racing Stable LLC, Dream Walkin Farms Inc., MJM Racing, Rocket Ship Racing and Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek).
Breeder: Green Lantern Stables.
Pedigree: Blame — Barbara Gordon by Commissioner.
Foaled: March 8, 2022.
2025: 3 starts. 0-1-0, $141,562.
2024: 4 starts. 1-1-1, $109,110.
16. Coal Battle
Odds: 30-1.
Jockey: Juan Vargas, 43. Peru native in line for first Derby start.
Trainer: Lonnie Briley, 72. Louisiana native in line for first Derby after winning first graded stakes race earlier this year.
Owners: Norman Stables LLC.
Breeder: Hume Wornall and Jay Adcock.
Pedigree: Coal Front — Wolfblade by Midshipman.
Foaled: April 6, 2022.
2025: 3 starts. 2-0-1, $881,250.
2024: 5 starts. 3-0-0, $307,625.
17. Sandman
Odds: 6-1.
Jockey: Jose Ortiz, 31. Puerto Rico native won 2017 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey. Best finish in eight Derby starts was second on Good Magic in 2018.
Trainer: Mark Casse, 64. Won the Preakness and Belmont in 2019 but is 0-for-10 in the Derby. Best finish was fourth with Classic Empire in 2017.
Owners: D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables.
Breeder: Lothenbach Stables Inc.
Pedigree: Tapit — Distorted Music by Distorted Humor.
Foaled: Feb. 27, 2022.
2025: 3 starts. 1-1-1, $1,090,000.
2024: 5 starts. 2-0-1, $164,595.
18. Sovereignty
Odds: 5-1.
Jockey: Junior Alvarado, 38. Venezuela native has made five Derby starts with best finish coming on Mohaymen (fourth) in 2016.
Trainer: Bill Mott, 71. South Dakota native has one win in 13 Derby starts with Country House via disqualification in 2019.
Owners: Godolphin LLC.
Breeder: Godolphin.
Pedigree: Into Mischief — Crowned by Bernardini.
Foaled: Feb. 22, 2022.
2025: 2 starts. 1-1-0, $429,520.
2024: 3 starts. 1-1-0, $143, 280.
19. Chunk of Gold
Odds: 30-1.
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry, 37. Michigan native finished second on Two Phil’s in only previous Derby start in 2023.
Trainer: Ethan West, 32. Indiana native in line for first Derby.
Owners: Terry Stephens.
Breeder: Brereton Jones.
Pedigree: Preservationist — Play for Gold by Cairo Prince.
Foaled: May 11, 2022.
2025: 3 starts. 0-3-0, $324,400.
2024: 1 start. 1-0-0, $24,418.
20. Owen Almighty
Odds: 30-1.
Jockey: Javier Castellano, 47. Hall of Famer won the Derby for the first time in his 16th start on Mage in 2023.
Trainer: Brian Lynch, 61. Australia native finished 11th with Classic Causeway in only previous Derby in 2022.
Owners: Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing LLC.
Breeder: Mark Stanley.
Pedigree: Speightstown — Tempers Rising by Bayern.
Foaled: March 5, 2022.
2025: 4 starts. 1-1-0, $267,875.
2024: 3 starts. 2-1-0, $232,060.
21. Baeza
Odds: 12-1.
Jockey: Flavien Prat, 32. France native won 2019 Derby on Country House via disqualification and has finished fourth or better in each of last four Derbys.
Trainer: John Shirreffs, 79. California-based trainer won his first Derby with Giacomo in 2005 but has not finished better than fourth in four Derbys since.
Owners: C R K Stable LLC and Grandview Equine.
Breeder: Grandview Equine.
Pedigree: Mckinzie — Puca by Big Brown.
Foaled: May 13, 2022.
2025: 3 starts. 1-2-0, $148,000.
2024: 1 start. 0-0-0, $500.
Note: Baeza was an “also-eligible” for the Derby and drew into the field Thursday when Rodriguez was scratched.
This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 7:00 AM.