Top Horses Set for 2025 Kentucky Derby Showdown at Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The best 3-year-old horses worldwide will race in the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3. This event, held at Churchill Downs, is the first leg of the prestigious American Triple Crown.

Only 13 horses have won all three legs of the Triple Crown, a success rate of 8.7%. While 150 different horses have won the Kentucky Derby since its inception, racing enthusiasts are eager to see if one among the current contenders can become the 14th Triple Crown winner.

Journalism, the current favorite, boasts four consecutive wins and holds 3-1 odds. Following closely are Sandman and Sovereignty, both at 8-1. Bettors are weighing whether to place their wagers on these front-runners or take a chance on an underdog.

Expert analyst Demling, known for his accuracy in predicting race outcomes, has correctly forecasted the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double 11 times in the last 16 years. His predictions for the Derby are already creating buzz, especially with his insights on the competition.

Although Rodriguez is one of the favorites with 10-1 odds, Demling is cautious about his chances. Rodriguez won the Wood Memorial on April 5, but this victory came against a field lacking graded stakes winners. In fact, no horse has won both the Wood Memorial and the Kentucky Derby since Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000.

Despite Rodriguez’s recent win, doubts linger regarding his ability to compete at such an elevated level. Moreover, he failed to win in his prior stakes outings, raising questions about whether he can handle the pressure of Churchill Downs.

On a more positive note, Demling is optimistic about Luxor Cafe, a 15-1 longshot whose pedigree includes American Pharoah, a renowned Triple Crown champion. Luxor Cafe has performed well in Japan, securing victories in both the Hyacinth Stakes and Fukuryu Stakes. His recent performances echo the dominance of his father’s racing style.

While Luxor Cafe has yet to face a field as competitive as what he’ll encounter in the Derby, Demling believes those odds might not reflect his true potential.

As the anticipation builds for the 2025 Kentucky Derby, questions remain about which horse will emerge victorious and whether any longshots could defy the odds. The race is sure to be a significant event in the horse racing calendar.