2025 Kentucky Derby Prepares for May 3 Showdown at Churchill Downs

The 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs features a competitive field of 20 horses, with Journalism emerging as the morning-line favorite after a string of recent victories, including the Santa Anita Derby. Other strong contenders include Sovereignty, Sandman, and Burnham Square, while Bob Baffert-trained Rodriguez and Citizen Bull are garnering attention, the latter overcoming a less favorable post position. The Derby uses a pari-mutuel betting system, meaning odds are finalized only after all bets are placed, making wagering more unpredictable than in fixed-odds sports. Many experts caution that the Derby is notoriously difficult to handicap due to the large field and numerous variables, leading some bettors to rely on small wagers or luck. New technology, such as AI-based prediction tools, is being developed to help bettors analyze vast amounts of data and potentially level the playing field, though even these tools acknowledge the unpredictability inherent in horse racing. Ultimately, while data and expert analysis can offer guidance, the Derby remains a challenging event where surprises are common.