June 9, 1945; Louisville, KY, USA; Hoop Jr. with jockey Eddie Arcaro aboard crushes his opponents in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Mandatory Credit: Bernie Metzroth/The Courier Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK
Here’s each horse’s post position, in addition to the horse’s jockey and chances of victory:
1. Citizen Bull, Martin Garcia
Nov 1, 2024; Del Mar, CA, USA; Martin Garcia is congratulated after winning the Juvenile aboard Citizen Bull during the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Championship at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
The horse in the first post position hasn’t won since Ferdinand in 1986.
2. Neoequos, Flavien Prat
Flavien Prat, on top of Bourbon Breeze, won the 3rd race Thursday at Keeneland.
April 10, 2025
Might be more suited to a mile than a mile and a quarter.
3. Final Gambit, Luan Machado
Kentucky Derby 151 contender Final Gambit takes to the track for a workout at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday, April 21, 2025. Trainer is Brad Cox. Jockey slated to ride is Luan Machado, his first Kentucky Derby. Horse has earned $520,639 in four starts; winning the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks on March 22 by 3 1/2 lengths over Flying Mohawk.
Hasn’t run on a dirt track before.
4. Rodriguez, Mike Smith
Jockey Mike Smith looks skyward after he rode Justify to win the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. May 5, 2018
Won the Wood Memorial by over three lengths and is a viable longshot.
5. American Promise, Nik Juarez
May 19, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Nik Juarez, jockey of Actress, celebrates in the winner’s circle after winning the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Mandatory Credit: Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports
Coming off a win in the Virginia Derby, and is trained by the great D. Wayne Lukas.
6. Admire Daytona, Christophe Lemaire
Nov 4, 2023; Santa Anita, CA, USA; DERMA SOTOGAKE (5), with jockey Christophe Lemaire up, reacts after the BREEDERS CUP CLASSIC race during the 2023 Breeders Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Has Japanese connections, but the distance feels like it’s a bit much.
7. Luxor Cafe, Joao Moreira
Jockey Joao Moreira atop 2025 Kentucky Derby contender Luxor Cafe during morning workouts Tuesday April 29, 2025 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s the Brazilian’s first Kentucky Derby. The horse is 4-1-0 in six starts.
Son of 2015 Triple Crown Winner American Pharaoh should be primed and ready to make a splash.
8. Journalism, Umberto Rispoli
Jockey Umberto Rispoli atop Kentucky Derby 3-1 favorite Journalism on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, just under a week before the 151st Running of the Roses on May 3.
Has some of the best speed figures in the field and is coming off a big Santa Anita Derby win.
9. Burnham Square, Brian Hernandez Jr.
Mystik Dan with Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. up races down the homestretch in the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
He’s an excellent closer and should be in the mix if it’s a fast early pace.
10. Grande, John Velazquez
Jockey John Velazquez wins the Kentucky Derby aboard Always Dreaming in May 2017.
Came in second in the Wood Memorial and should love the distance.
11. Flying Mohawk, Joe Ramos
Kentucky Derby 151 contender Flying Mohawk with trainer Whit Beckman. The horse is Beckman’s second entry in the Kentucky Derby; he finished eighth with Honor Marie in 2024. Flying Mohawk has earned $295,800 so far. Last race he finished second in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks on March 22 at Turfway Park.
This is his first start on a dirt track.
12. East Avenue, Manny Franco
Racehorse Indian Bella, ridden by jockey Manny Franco wins the first race of the day at Belmont Park in Queens, April 29, 2022.
Belmont Park
Will be one of those horses setting the pace.
13. Publisher, Irad Ortiz Jr.
Three year old filly Ivory and Ebony, with jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. up, is led from to the track after finishing second in race 5 at Keenland in Lexington, Kentucky on Monday, April 7.
No wins in seven career starts.
14. Tiztastic, Joel Rosario
Jockey Joel Rosario, left, pops his whip as he rode Orb to win the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
May 4, 2013
Won the Louisiana Derby and likes coming from behind.
15. Render Judgement, Julien Leparoux
Jun 9, 2017; Elmont, NY, USA; Julien Leparoux aboard Hawksmoor (5) jockey wins The 74th Running of the New York Presented by NYRA Bets Grade II at Belmont Park. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
Feels a bit overmatched.
16. Coal Battle, Juan Vargas
Kentucky Derby contender Coal Battle, gallops in the morning at Churchill Downs. Coal Battle is trained by Lonnie Briley. Photo by Pat McDonogh. April 18, 2025
Has five wins in eight starts, but his speed numbers are lacking.
17. Sandman, Jose Ortiz
Jockey Jose Ortiz won his record-tying fourth Delaware Handicap.
Coming off an Arkansas Derby win, he’s a big-time closer, but the Derby has 20 horses, so finding room for a late run will be challenging.
18. Sovereignty, Junior Alvarado
Jockey Junior Alvarado outside trainer Bill Mott’s barn Wednesday, April 30, 2025, where 2025 Kentucky Derby contender Sovereignty is stalled Wednesday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Alvarado will ride Sovereignty May 3, in the Kentucky Derby.
Has his regular jockey back and is in solid form.
19. Chunk of Gold, Jareth Loveberry
May 2, 2023; Louisville, KY, USA; Jockey Jareth Loveberry, outside Barn 1 on Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., will ride Kentucky Derby contender Two Phil’s. Mandatory Credit: Matt Stone-USA TODAY Sports
Needs a fast pace, but the distance is no problem.
20. Owen Almighty, Javier Castellano
The $1,500,000 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, (GR 1), for three year-olds going one and a half miles over the dirt Saturday, June 10, 2023, was won by Blue Rose Farm’s Arcangelo, with jockey Javier Castellano, as trainer, Jena Antonucci pats her trainee on the forehead.
