We're closing in on the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby, and the Kentucky Derby odds are beginning to take full shape.
Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism is expected to be the post-time favorite when they spring the latch on the "Run for the Roses" on Saturday, May 3, but anything can happen once 20 of the best three-year-olds in horse racing are sent on their way.
Here are the latest 2025 Kentucky Derby odds.
2025 Kentucky Derby odds
| Horse | Trainer |  |
|---|---|---|
| Journalism | Michael McCarthy | +333 |
| Sovereignty | Bill Mott | +600 |
| Luxor Cafe | Noriyuki Hori | +1000 |
| Sandman | Mark Casse | +1200 |
| Tappan Street | Brad Cox | +1200 |
| Burnham Square | Ian Wilkes | +1400 |
| Rodriguez | Bob Baffert | +1400 |
| Citizen Bull | Bob Baffert | +2000 |
| East Avenue | Brendan Walsh | +2000 |
| Tiztastic | Steve Asmussen | +2000 |
| Baeza | John Shirreffs | +2000 |
| Coal Battle | Lonnie Briley | +2500 |
| Final Gambit | Brad Cox | +2500 |
| Grande | Todd Pletcher | +2500 |
| Publisher | Steve Asmussen | +3300 |
| Chunk of Gold | Ethan West | +3300 |
| American Promise | D. Wayne Lukas | +3300 |
| Admire Daytona | Yukihiro Kato | +4000 |
| Madaket Road | Bob Baffert | +4000 |
| Built | Wayne Catalano | +4000 |
Odds as of 4-16.
🏇 Top contenders & odds
- Journalism (3.33-1): The winner of the Santa Anita Derby, Journalism is currently a clear-cut favorite.
- Sovereignty (6-1): Triumphed in the Fountain of Youth Stakes and ran second in the Florida Derby.
- Luxor Cafe (10-1): Won the Fukuryu Stakes on the Japan road to the Derby, good for his fourth straight victory.
- Sandman (12-1): Has had issues with slow starts but secured victory in the Arkansas Derby.
- Tappan Street (12-1): Clinched the Florida Derby, a race known for producing many Kentucky Derby winners.
🔍 Expert insights
Journalism is a deserving favorite off his Santa Anita Derby win, but Tappan Street is a solid alternative. Tappan Street has raced just three times, beating maidens before taking second in the Holy Bull and first in the Florida Derby. The upside is there as he continues to drill well for 2021 Derby-winning trainer Brad Cox.
- Rodriguez: Shined in Wood Memorial when allowed to set the pace.
- Burnham Square: Shook off a disappointing Fountain of Youth effort with a Blue Grass Stakes score.
- Chunk of Gold: Tends to roll late, should relish added ground.
🐴 Spotlight: Journalism
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Sire: Curlin
Recent Form: 1st - Santa Anita Derby
Journalism beat a well-regarded runner in Gaming in the Los Alamitos Futurity to close out his two-year-old career, then grinded down prize colt Barnes to kick off his sophomore campaign in the San Felipe Stakes. He punched his ticket to Churchill in the Santa Anita Derby over Baeza, with the Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Citizen Bull as well as Barnes far behind.
Journalism has Curlin on top and Uncle Mo on the bottom of his pedigree, so he's bred to run all day and age like fine wine.
🎯 Kentucky Derby long shot to watch: Coal Battle
Coal Battle was much closer to an Arkansas Derby pace that completely fell apart than eventual winner Sandman or runner-up Publisher was, and that may have taken the starch out of his late kick. This son of Coal Front had won each of his prior four starts, including the Grade II Rebel Stakes two-back.
The Kentucky Derby underdog this year is a bay horse from a small barn. The connections of three-year-old colt COAL BATTLE talk about the journey that will bring them to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. pic.twitter.com/oGUktM7MI3
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 16, 2025
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Who won the Kentucky Derby, and what were the odds?
Although the Kentucky Derby favorite dominated at Churchill Downs from 2013 to 2018, Country House won the Run for the Roses in 2019 as the second-biggest underdog in Derby history at 65/1. Just three years later, Rich Strike surpassed Country House when he won the "Run for the Roses" at 80/1.
Here are the winners of the Kentucky Derby since 2000, their post positions, and their final odds.
| Year | Kentucky Derby Winner | Post Position | Final Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Mystik Dan | 3 | 18/1 |
| 2023 | Mage | 8 | 14/1 |
| 2022 | Rich Strike | 20 | 80/1 |
| 2021 | Medina Spirit | 8 | 12/1 |
| 2020 | Authentic | 18 | 8/1 |
| 2019 | Country House | 20 | 65/1 |
| 2018 | Justify | 7 | 5/2 |
| 2017 | Always Dreaming | 5 | 9/2 |
| 2016 | Nyquist | 13 | 2/1 |
| 2015 | American Pharoah | 18 | 5/2 |
| 2014 | California Chrome | 5 | 5/2 |
| 2013 | Orb | 16 | 5/1 |
| 2012 | I'll Have Another | 19 | 15/1 |
| 2011 | Animal Kingdom | 16 | 20/1 |
| 2010 | Super Saver | 4 | 8/1 |
| 2009 | Mine That Bird | 8 | 50/1 |
| 2008 | Big Brown | 20 | 7/2 |
| 2007 | Street Sense | 7 | 9/2 |
| 2006 | Barbaro | 3 | 6/1 |
| 2005 | Giacomo | 10 | 50/1 |
| 2004 | Smarty Jones | 13 | 4/1 |
| 2003 | Funny Cide | 5 | 13/1 |
| 2002 | War Emblem | 5 | 41/2 |
| 2001 | Monarchos | 16 | 21/2 |
| 2000 | Fusaichi Pegasus | 15 | 9/5 |
🎓 Betting education and resources
Kentucky Derby odds FAQs
Journalism is the current betting favorite for the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
Most odds you will see for the Kentucky Derby are the odds to win the race. The odds above are listed in Fractional format.
Mage was a 14-1 underdog to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
If a horse racing at the Kentucky Derby has 80 to 1 odds and you place a bet on that horse, you stand to make a significant return if that horse wins. For instance, if you bet $1 and your horse wins, you would receive $80 in winnings, plus your original $1 stake back, for a total payout of $81. As always, it's crucial to understand that horse racing outcomes and betting are unpredictable, and it's important to only bet what you can afford to lose.
Journalism is the current betting favorite for the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby odds are calculated based on a combination of factors, including the horse's past performance, its perceived ability, the jockey's reputation, and the betting patterns of the public.
