Journalism Grabs Spotlight as 2025 Derby Favorite; Baffert’s Return Adds Excitement

May Brings Derby Fever: The 2025 Run for the Roses Is Here

May has arrived, and for horse racing fans, this means one thing: the Kentucky Derby is back, ready to transform two minutes of heart-pounding action into a nationwide event.

The 151st running of the Derby takes place this Saturday at 6:57 p.m. ET, with NBC broadcasting it live and Peacock offering a streaming option. This year, a lightning-quick contender with a newsworthy name, Journalism, has everyone talking.

Journalism Leads the Pack and Betting 

Journalism isn’t just the favorite, he’s the main attraction. The 3-1 frontrunner heads to Churchill Downs on a four-race winning streak and seems ready to make it five straight with jockey Umberto Rispoli. After last year’s close finish, where Mystik Dan beat Sierra Leone and Forever Young at 18-1 odds, this year’s top pick looks like the horse everyone needs to beat — and bettors agree. Right behind Journalism: Sovereignty at 9-2, Sandman at 6-1, and Rodriguez at 12-1 — a horse with muscle in the paddock and a strong family tree in the training barn. Baffert Returns with Two Horses After three years away from the Derb, well-known (and disputed) trainer Bob Baffert is back in charge, not with two horses in this year’s race: the already mentioned Rodriguez and underdog Citizen Bull (20-1). Baffert’s time away came after a ban linked to Medina Spirit’s positive drug test following a win in the 2021 Derby. But now, the Hall of Fame trainer comes back to Churchill Downs with a point to make and horses that could change the betting landscape.

Betting Board Shakes, Post Positions Set

The post draw is locked, but the odds keep shifting. Here’s how the field stacks up for Saturday’s showdown:

1. Citizen Bull (20-1) — Jockey: Martin Garcia
   
2. Neoequos (30-1) — Jockey: Edgard Zayas
   
3. Final Gambit (30-1) — Jockey: Luan Machado
   
4. Rodriguez (12-1) — Jockey: Mike Smith
   
5. American Promise (30-1) — Jockey: Nik Juarez
   
6. Admire Daytona (30-1) — Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
   
7. Luxor Cafe (15-1) — Jockey: Joao Moreira
   
8. Journalism (3-1) — Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
   
9. Burnham Square (12-1) — Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.
   
10. Grande (20-1) — Jockey: John Velazquez
    
11. Flying Mohawk (30-1) — Jockey: Joe Ramos
    
12. East Avenue (20-1) — Jockey: Manny Franco
    
13. Publisher (20-1) — Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
    
14. Tiztastic (15-1) — Jockey: Joel Rosario
    
15. Render Judgement (30-1) — Jockey: Sheldon Russell
    
16. Coal Battle (30-1) — Jockey: Juan Vargas
    
17. Sandman (6-1) — Jockey: Jose Ortiz
    
18. Sovereignty (5-1) — Jockey: Junior Alvarado
    
19. Chunk of Gold (30-1) — Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
    
20. Owen Almighty (30-1) — Jockey: Javier Castellano

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