LOUISVILLE, KY — With the call to the post echoing through Churchill Downs, the 151st Kentucky Derby is set to captivate the nation once again today, continuing a legacy that began in 1875. Known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” the Derby remains the oldest continuously held major sporting event in the United States, and its blend of high-stakes racing, Southern pageantry, and American tradition shows no signs of slowing down.
Every year on the first Saturday in May, more than 150,000 fans descend on Louisville, Kentucky, donning extravagant hats and sipping mint juleps to celebrate what is arguably America’s most prestigious horse race. The Kentucky Derby is not only the opening leg of the coveted Triple Crown, but also a symbol of the country’s enduring competitive spirit and cultural heritage.
This year, 19 three-year-old Thoroughbreds will thunder down the 1¼-mile (10-furlong) track, competing for victory in the “Run for the Roses,” a nickname derived from the blanket of red roses awarded to the winning horse. The 2025 field is packed with talent, but all eyes are on Journalism, the 3-1 morning-line favorite, who has claimed three straight graded-stakes wins including the Santa Anita Derby.
2025 Kentucky Derby Lineup and Odds:
- Citizen Bull – 20-1
- Neoequos – 30-1
- Final Gambit – 30-1
- American Promise – 30-1
- Admire Daytona – 30-1
- Luxor Café – 15-1
- Journalism – 3-1
- Burnham Square – 12-1
- Flying Mohawk – 30-1
- East Avenue – 20-1
- Publisher – 20-1
- Tiztastic – 20-1
- Render Judgment – 30-1
- Coal Battle – 30-1
- Sandman – 6-1
- Sovereignty – 5-1
- Chunk of Gold – 30-1
- Owen Almighty – 30-1
- Baeza – 12-1
Post time is scheduled for 6:57 p.m. EDT. The odds, set by veteran Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia, will shift as bets pour in throughout the day.
In a presidential message issued earlier today, the Kentucky Derby was praised as a symbol of American perseverance and spirit. The president highlighted the Derby’s inception just one year before the nation’s centennial and connected the race’s rich history to the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.
“As we enjoy this revered springtime tradition,” the president said, “we are witnessing a resurgence of American strength and a restoration of the American Dream. May the best horse win!”
The Derby has run uninterrupted every year since it began in 1875—even overcoming challenges like World War II and the COVID-19 pandemic—cementing its role as a constant in American sports and culture.
Whether you’re there in person or watching from home, the 151st Kentucky Derby promises another thrilling chapter in a story that spans generations.
