The 2025 Kentucky Derby is approaching, and the 20-horse field for the 151st Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs is taking shape. Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism is among the top horses in the 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby standings. Sired by 2007 Preakness winner Curlin out of Uncle Mo mare Mopotism, Journalism also won the San Felipe Stakes and Los Alamitos Futurity and has four wins in five career starts. It comes as little surprise that he’s the 3-1 favorite in the 2025 Kentucky Derby odds, followed by Sandman and Sovereignty at 8-1.
Who are the top Kentucky Derby 2025 contenders and how can you put together a winning ticket before the Kentucky Derby 2025 takes place on Saturday, May 3? Before making any 2025 Kentucky Derby picks, you’ll want to see what SportsLine writer Gene Menez has to say before making any 2025 Kentucky Derby picks or horse racing predictions.
A former reporter and editor at Sports Illustrated, Menez covered an array of sports, including horse racing, for the magazine and its website for almost 14 years. Between 2010 and 2012, he served as SI’s handicapper for the Triple Crown races and correctly predicted Super Saver to win the Kentucky Derby in 2010.
In 2015, Menez accurately gave out the Kentucky Derby superfecta, which paid $1,268.20 for $2. In 2017, he tweeted out his Kentucky Derby picks, including Always Dreaming to win, and hit the Pick 4, which paid almost $6,900 on a $1 bet.
In May of last year, Menez nailed 18-1 Mystik Dan as a live longshot in the Kentucky Derby. In November, he crushed the late Pick 4 on Breeders’ Cup Saturday for a $5,303 jackpot. This year, he hit the winner and exacta in the Holy Bull Stakes and the winner, trifecta and superfecta in the Florida Derby.
For the Run for the Roses, Menez has handicapped the 2025 Kentucky Derby field, made his picks and constructed his best bets. You can head to SportsLine now to see them.
Top 2025 Kentucky Derby predictions
One of Menez’ surprising 2025 Kentucky Derby picks: He is fading Sandman, even though he won the Arkansas Derby and is one of the top favorites. Legendary sire Tapit has produced four Belmont Stakes winners and has been one of the top studs in the United States for over a decade, but the Kentucky Derby has continued to elude his progeny. However, when it comes to the Arkansas Derby winner, it’s the running style that is scaring away Menez the most.
“Taking closers in the Kentucky Derby is always dangerous because they’re dependent on a hot pace up front and they’re likely to lose massive ground in an attempt to pass horses on the far turn. There are many closers in this year’s field who could be the victim of a slow pace or a wide trip (or both), but the one I’m against the most is Sandman,” Menez told SportsLine. See which 2025 Kentucky Derby horses he likes at SportsLine.
How to make 2025 Kentucky Derby bets, picks
Menez’ top pick is a horse who “is bred to only get better with the added distance.” He’s also high on a double-digit longshot who owns “the most awesome turn of foot of any of the Kentucky Derby hopefuls.” Menez is sharing who he likes over at SportsLine.
Which horse wins the Kentucky Derby 2025, and which double-digit longshot is a must-back? Check out the latest 2025 Kentucky Derby odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Menez’ picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the expert who called Mystik Dan as an 18-1 live longshot in last year’s race.
2025 Kentucky Derby odds, futures
| Horse | Odds | Projection |
| Journalism | 3-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Sandman | 8-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Sovereignty | 8-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Rodriguez | 10-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Tappan Street | 10-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Burnham Square | 15-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Luxor Cafe | 15-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Citizen Bull | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
| East Avenue | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Grande | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
| River Thames | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Tiztastic | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
| American Promise | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Chunk of Gold | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Coal Battle | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Final Gambit | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Publisher | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Admire Daytona | 50-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Flood Zone | 50-1 | SEE PICKS |
| Flying Mohawk | 50-1 | SEE PICKS |
