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UKLatest 2025 Kentucky Derby Odds
Kentucky Derby odds are live and the countdown to the 151st Run for the Roses is underway. The 2025 Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 3 at Churchill Downs, with the post time scheduled for 6:57pm ET.
Leading the early betting boards is a three-year old Colt named Journalism, but he’s got some competition. With other top contenders like Sovereignty and Sandman in the mix, the stage is set for “the most exciting two minutes in sports.”
Odds to Win 2025 Kentucky Derby
| Horse | Odds to Win |
|---|---|
| Journalism | +350 |
| Sovereignty | +700 |
| Sandman | +1000 |
| Luxor Cafe | +1000 |
| Citizen Bull | +1200 |
| Rodriguez | +1200 |
| Tappan Street | +1200 |
| Burnham Square | +1400 |
| Grande | +1600 |
| Tiztastic | +1600 |
| Coal Battle | +2000 |
| East Avenue | +2000 |
| American Promise | +2500 |
| Publisher | +2500 |
| Admire Daytona | +3000 |
| Chunk of Gold | +3000 |
| Final Gambit | +3000 |
| Built | +4000 |
| Flying Mohawk | +4000 |
| Owen Almighty | +4000 |
| Neoequos | +5000 |
The betting market for the 2025 Kentucky Derby is starting to heat up. Journalism leads the field at +350 odds, followed by Sovereignty and Sandman at +700 and +1000, respectively. These prices will continue to shift as more wagers are placed—so locking in your bet early could get you the best bang for your buck.
If you’re looking to get in on the horse racing action, Bovada is one of the best places to bet on the Kentucky Derby. They’re a great choice on race day—it’s a trusted sportsbook with strong odds, fast payouts and plenty of betting options for the Derby, including exotics, props and futures.
Best Kentucky Derby Betting Site Overall Bovada Sportsbook
When it comes to Kentucky Derby betting, Bovada delivers competitive odds and the best overall experience. Their odds are updated in real-time, giving you a chance to find value as the market shifts. Plus, new users can take advantage of a generous welcome bonus to boost their balance and jump in on the betting action!
Bovada’s platform is easy to use, with everything clearly laid out for race day. You’ll find a range of betting options, from simple win/place/show wagers to exotic bets like exactas and trifectas. Whether you’re backing the favorite or hunting for a longshot, Bovada gives you solid odds across the board.
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Why is Journalism the Kentucky Derby Favorite?
Journalism is the 2025 Kentucky Derby favorite for a reason. He’s on a hot streak, winning four straight races, including big ones like the Santa Anita Derby and San Felipe Stakes. With a pedigree that combines Curlin—a two-time Horse of the Year—and Mopotism, a stakes-winning mare, he’s built for both speed and stamina.
So, is he worth betting on? There’s a lot to like—he’s versatile, handles pressure well and knows how to finish strong. That said, his recent races have been against smaller fields and the Kentucky Derby’s larger field could present new challenges. Still, if you want to bet on a horse boasting talent and consistency, Journalism is a smart pick to be in the mix at the wire.
Top 2025 Kentucky Derby Contenders
While Journalism leads the early odds, he’s not the only horse worth watching. Here are three top contenders outside the favorite who could shake things up this year at Churchill Downs.
Sovereignty +700
Sovereignty is a real contender with major upside heading into the 2025 Kentucky Derby. He broke his maiden impressively at Churchill Downs in the Grade 3 Street Sense Stakes and looked sharp this spring with a win in the Fountain of Youth and a runner-up finish in the Florida Derby.
Trained by Bill Mott and owned by Godolphin, he’s got the backers and breeding to go the distance. He’ll be closing late, so he’ll need a good pace up front—but if things open up down the stretch, Sovereignty could absolutely spoil the party at a nice price.
Sandman +1000
Sandman has quietly turned into one of the most dangerous closers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby field. Trained by Mark Casse, he surged from mid-pack to win the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby by 2½ lengths, flashing the kind of late speed bettors love. With over $1.25 million in earnings and a strong Tapit pedigree, he’s bred for the Derby distance.
His deep-closing style does come with some risk however—he’ll need a fast early pace and a clean trip to contend—but at 10-1 odds, Sandman offers great value for those looking beyond the obvious betting favorite.
Luxor Cafe +1000
Coming all the way from Asia, Luxor Cafe adds an international wildcard to the 2025 Kentucky Derby field. The Japan-based colt punched his ticket with back-to-back wins in the Hyacinth and Fukuryu Stakes, showing off a sharp turn of foot and strong finishing kick.
Bred from American Pharoah and trained by Noriyuki Hori, he brings pedigree, momentum and mystery to Churchill Downs. While he hasn’t raced outside Japan yet, his form and versatility make him a sneaky-good value play at his current +1000 odds. Bettors looking for an under-the-radar contender with upside should give Luxor Cafe a serious look.
Best 2025 Kentucky Derby Sleeper
If you’re searching for a quality sleeper in this year’s Kentucky Derby, Tappan Street stands out with this current betting odds sitting at +1200. Trained by Brad Cox, this lightly raced colt has won two of his three starts, including a notable victory in the Grade 1 Florida Derby, where he showcased exceptional closing speed by defeating Sovereignty.
Tappan Street’s pedigree, being a son of Into Mischief, suggests he has the stamina for the Derby’s 1¼-mile distance. With a strong pace upfront, Tappan Street could capitalize and score you a massive payout. While his limited experience is a concern, his impressive performances and ability to pull off the upset make him a compelling choice for horse racing bettors looking for a sleeper in this year’s field.
2025 Kentucky Derby Winner Prediction
Journalism is our pick to win the 2025 Kentucky Derby. He’s the most well-rounded runner in the field, combining top-end speed with stamina and smarts. His dominant prep performances and elite pedigree make him tough to bet against. If he breaks cleanly and avoids traffic, it’s hard to see anyone catching him down the stretch. And if you’re planning to bet on the Kentucky Derby, Bovada is our top pick among online sportsbooks. With competitive odds and fast payouts, Bovada is built for race day action.
