#4 Rodriguez wins the Wood Memorial.
Conversation with trainer Bob Baffert this morning about Kenucky Derby contenders Citizen Bull and Rodriguez, as well as Kentucky Oaks filly Tenma!
#17 Sandman wins the Arkansas Derby.
#14 Tiztastic wins the Louisiana Derby.
#9 Burnham Square wins the Blue Grass Stakes.
#1 Citizen Bull wins the Breeders Cup Juvenile.
Here is a full-field analysis for the Kentucky Oaks which is scheduled as race 11 out of 13 with post time set for 5:51 p.m. EDT. Each horse is shown with the official track morning line odds, her sire, trainer, jockey, record and purse earnings.
1. Early On, 30-1. Union Rags – Saffie Joseph Jr. / Edgard Zayas – 6: 1-3-1 - $162,200. Early On broke her maiden in her fourth start which was at Gulfstream Park in February. The New York-bred was second in a pair of Kentucky Oaks qualifiers. She raced from behind in the Virginia Oaks and pressed the pace in the Gazelle (G3) to get the lead midway through that nine-furlong prep race. Toss.
2. Simply Joking, 10-1. Practical Joke – Whit Beckman / Florent Geroux – 3: 2-1-0 - $288,000. Simply Joking won her first two starts at Fair Grounds winning a sprint stakes race in December and then the Silverbulletday in January with a front-end effort. In the Fantasy (G2) at Oaklawn she set the pace while battling with the eventual winner of the race. Win contender.
3. Fondly, 20-1. Upstart – Graham Motion / Irad Ortiz Jr. – 2: 2-0-0 - $169,200. Fondly is undefeated in a career that began in February with a seven-furlong maiden at Tampa Bay Downs. Graham Motion moved her to the Oaks trail and won the Virginia Oaks after contending for the lead throughout the one-turn 1 1/16-mile contest. Irad Ortiz stays on board. Win contender.
4. Drexel Hill, 30-1. Bolt d’Oro – Whit Beckman / Ben Curtis – 7: 2-2-1 - $180,520. Drexel Hill brings lots of experience to the Oaks field. She began her career at Woodbine last year and broke her maiden in her fourth start. She changed trainers and moved to the Kentucky barn of the former Chad Brown assistant, Whit Beckman. She ran twice on the Oaks trail at Fair Grounds and then got a points victory in the Busher at Aqueduct in March with a strong closing move after stumbling at the start. Toss.
5. Quickick, 30-1. McKinzie – Tom Amoss / Umberto Rispoli – 6: 1-1-2 - $396,000. Quickick broke her maiden in her second race at Saratoga for Tom Amoss. She picked up Oaks qualifying points in her next four starts with a second in the Alcibiades (G1) and a third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. This year Quickick was fifth in the Honeybee (G3) and fourth in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). Tom Amoss won the Kentucky Oaks in 2019 with Serengeti Empress. Toss.
6. Ballerina d’Oro, 10-1. Medaglia d’Oro – Chad Brown / Flavien Prat – 6: 2-1-1 - $286,975. Ballerina d’Oro is one of two fillies that were sired by Medaglia d’Oro. She began her career with three turf starts and then ran three times on the Oaks trail with a second, a third, and then in April in the Gazelle (G3) at Aqueduct with a stalking trip. Flavien Prat has become the premier big race rider in America. Win contender.
7. La Cara, 6-1. Street Sense – Mark Casse / Dylan Davis – 9: 4-2-0 - $866,083. La Cara is one of only two Grade 1 winners in the Oaks field. She won the Ashland (G1) with a front-end trip against a field of eight at Keeneland. La Cara had two other victories on the road to the Oaks in the Pocahontas (G3) at Churchill Downs and the Suncoast at Tampa Bay Downs. Win contender.
8. Five G, 12-1. Vekoma – George Weaver / Manny Franco – 6: 3-2-0 - $393,740. Five G finished first or second in her last five starts. The New York-bred set the pace in the Honeybee at Oaklawn and then won the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) leading every step of the way. Win contender.
9. Tenma, 12-1. Nyquist – Bob Baffert / J J Hernandez – 6: 5-0-1 - $549,000. Tenma won five times including her last three in California graded stakes. Her last two victories she won by open lengths with stalking trips as the odds-on favorite. Tenma is the other Grade 1 winner in the field from the Del Mar Debutante in September. Bob Baffert won the Oaks three times in 2017 with Abel Tasman, Plum Pretty in 2011 and Silverbulletday in 1999. Win contender.
10. Take Charge Milady, 12-1. Take Charge Indy – Ken McPeek / Brian Hernandez Jr. – 6: 2-2-0 - $416,469. Take Charge Milady won twice in January at Oaklawn with her maiden-breaker and then the Martha Washington on the Oaks trail. She never had a chance in the Honeybee after facing too much trouble. She bounced back to rally for second in the Ashland. Mc Peek won the Oaks last year with horse of the year Thorpedo Anna. Use underneath.
11. Good Cheer, 6-5. Medaglia d’Oro – Brad Cox / Luis Saez – 6: 6-0-0 - $877,630. Good Cheer has done nothing wrong winning all six of her races of which four were last year. Her speed figures gradually increased throughout her career to fit with the fastest fillies in this field. Her margins of victory range from 2 ½-lengths to 17. Good Cheer faced only three of the fillies in the Oaks field in her six races. Brad Cox has a pair of Oaks victories with Shedaresthedevil in 2020 and Monomoy Girl in 2018. The one to beat.
12. Anna’s Promise, 30-1. Promises Fulfilled – David Carlos / Junior Alvarado – 8: 2-3-0 - $150,854. Anna’s Promise finished first or second five times and that was when she was able to be part of the early pace. She broke her maiden in her sixth try and was claimed for $50,000 in February at Gulfstream. She qualified for the Oaks when she was second in the Gulfstream Park Oaks. Toss.
13. Bless the Broken, 30-1. Laoban – William Walden / John Velazquez – 7: 2-2-1 - $282,835. Bless the Broken was a debut winner at Evangeline Downs in July and then changed to the barn of Will Walden who put her in a pair of Kentucky allowances before trying the Oaks trail. She was second in the Silverbulletday and third in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) before winning the Bourbonette Oaks on the synthetic track at Turfway Park. Toss.
14. Quietside, 8-1. Malibu Moon – John Ortiz / Jose Ortiz – 7: 3-3-1 - $957,200. Quietside never ran a bad race in seven tries running in the top three every time. Her last five starts were on the road to the Oaks with two pace-pressing victories in the Honeybee and the Fantasy in February and March. Jose Ortiz, who is riding as well as at any point in his career, got the two best efforts from Quietside. Top Choice.
Summary: The 2025 Kentucky Derby drew yet another quality field with nine of them showing a victory in their past performances in their most recent starts. That makes it difficult to eliminate any of them from consideration.
1. Early On, 30-1. Union Rags – Saffie Joseph Jr. / Edgard Zayas – 6: 1-3-1 - $162,200. Early On broke her maiden in her fourth start which was at Gulfstream Park in February. The New York-bred was second in a pair of Kentucky Oaks qualifiers. She raced from behind in the Virginia Oaks and pressed the pace in the Gazelle (G3) to get the lead midway through that nine-furlong prep race. Toss.
2. Simply Joking, 10-1. Practical Joke – Whit Beckman / Florent Geroux – 3: 2-1-0 - $288,000. Simply Joking won her first two starts at Fair Grounds winning a sprint stakes race in December and then the Silverbulletday in January with a front-end effort. In the Fantasy (G2) at Oaklawn she set the pace while battling with the eventual winner of the race. Win contender.
3. Fondly, 20-1. Upstart – Graham Motion / Irad Ortiz Jr. – 2: 2-0-0 - $169,200. Fondly is undefeated in a career that began in February with a seven-furlong maiden at Tampa Bay Downs. Graham Motion moved her to the Oaks trail and won the Virginia Oaks after contending for the lead throughout the one-turn 1 1/16-mile contest. Irad Ortiz stays on board. Win contender.
4. Drexel Hill, 30-1. Bolt d’Oro – Whit Beckman / Ben Curtis – 7: 2-2-1 - $180,520. Drexel Hill brings lots of experience to the Oaks field. She began her career at Woodbine last year and broke her maiden in her fourth start. She changed trainers and moved to the Kentucky barn of the former Chad Brown assistant, Whit Beckman. She ran twice on the Oaks trail at Fair Grounds and then got a points victory in the Busher at Aqueduct in March with a strong closing move after stumbling at the start. Toss.
5. Quickick, 30-1. McKinzie – Tom Amoss / Umberto Rispoli – 6: 1-1-2 - $396,000. Quickick broke her maiden in her second race at Saratoga for Tom Amoss. She picked up Oaks qualifying points in her next four starts with a second in the Alcibiades (G1) and a third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. This year Quickick was fifth in the Honeybee (G3) and fourth in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). Tom Amoss won the Kentucky Oaks in 2019 with Serengeti Empress. Toss.
6. Ballerina d’Oro, 10-1. Medaglia d’Oro – Chad Brown / Flavien Prat – 6: 2-1-1 - $286,975. Ballerina d’Oro is one of two fillies that were sired by Medaglia d’Oro. She began her career with three turf starts and then ran three times on the Oaks trail with a second, a third, and then in April in the Gazelle (G3) at Aqueduct with a stalking trip. Flavien Prat has become the premier big race rider in America. Win contender.
7. La Cara, 6-1. Street Sense – Mark Casse / Dylan Davis – 9: 4-2-0 - $866,083. La Cara is one of only two Grade 1 winners in the Oaks field. She won the Ashland (G1) with a front-end trip against a field of eight at Keeneland. La Cara had two other victories on the road to the Oaks in the Pocahontas (G3) at Churchill Downs and the Suncoast at Tampa Bay Downs. Win contender.
8. Five G, 12-1. Vekoma – George Weaver / Manny Franco – 6: 3-2-0 - $393,740. Five G finished first or second in her last five starts. The New York-bred set the pace in the Honeybee at Oaklawn and then won the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) leading every step of the way. Win contender.
9. Tenma, 12-1. Nyquist – Bob Baffert / J J Hernandez – 6: 5-0-1 - $549,000. Tenma won five times including her last three in California graded stakes. Her last two victories she won by open lengths with stalking trips as the odds-on favorite. Tenma is the other Grade 1 winner in the field from the Del Mar Debutante in September. Bob Baffert won the Oaks three times in 2017 with Abel Tasman, Plum Pretty in 2011 and Silverbulletday in 1999. Win contender.
10. Take Charge Milady, 12-1. Take Charge Indy – Ken McPeek / Brian Hernandez Jr. – 6: 2-2-0 - $416,469. Take Charge Milady won twice in January at Oaklawn with her maiden-breaker and then the Martha Washington on the Oaks trail. She never had a chance in the Honeybee after facing too much trouble. She bounced back to rally for second in the Ashland. Mc Peek won the Oaks last year with horse of the year Thorpedo Anna. Use underneath.
11. Good Cheer, 6-5. Medaglia d’Oro – Brad Cox / Luis Saez – 6: 6-0-0 - $877,630. Good Cheer has done nothing wrong winning all six of her races of which four were last year. Her speed figures gradually increased throughout her career to fit with the fastest fillies in this field. Her margins of victory range from 2 ½-lengths to 17. Good Cheer faced only three of the fillies in the Oaks field in her six races. Brad Cox has a pair of Oaks victories with Shedaresthedevil in 2020 and Monomoy Girl in 2018. The one to beat.
12. Anna’s Promise, 30-1. Promises Fulfilled – David Carlos / Junior Alvarado – 8: 2-3-0 - $150,854. Anna’s Promise finished first or second five times and that was when she was able to be part of the early pace. She broke her maiden in her sixth try and was claimed for $50,000 in February at Gulfstream. She qualified for the Oaks when she was second in the Gulfstream Park Oaks. Toss.
13. Bless the Broken, 30-1. Laoban – William Walden / John Velazquez – 7: 2-2-1 - $282,835. Bless the Broken was a debut winner at Evangeline Downs in July and then changed to the barn of Will Walden who put her in a pair of Kentucky allowances before trying the Oaks trail. She was second in the Silverbulletday and third in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) before winning the Bourbonette Oaks on the synthetic track at Turfway Park. Toss.
14. Quietside, 8-1. Malibu Moon – John Ortiz / Jose Ortiz – 7: 3-3-1 - $957,200. Quietside never ran a bad race in seven tries running in the top three every time. Her last five starts were on the road to the Oaks with two pace-pressing victories in the Honeybee and the Fantasy in February and March. Jose Ortiz, who is riding as well as at any point in his career, got the two best efforts from Quietside. Top Choice.
Summary: The 2025 Kentucky Derby drew yet another quality field with nine of them showing a victory in their past performances in their most recent starts. That makes it difficult to eliminate any of them from consideration.
Lonnie Briley gives an update on how Coal Battle is training heading into the Kentucky Derby.
We caught up with Steve Asmussen to talk about Tiztastic and Publisher.
Six previous winners and five new faces are among the 20 jockeys with mounts in Kentucky Derby 2025 on Saturday at Churchill Downs.
John Velazquez's mount Grande may cede experience to his foes, but Velazquez's own riding experience is beyond reproach. The hall of fame rider has ridden in the Kentucky Derby 26 times, tied with Bill Shoemaker for the second most in history, and his three wins lead the field.
Mike Smith, whose 28 mounts make him the most experienced Kentucky Derby jockey in history, returns to the fray with Rodriguez. His two Kentucky Derby wins make him the only other multiple Kentucky Derby winner in the field.
In addiiton to Velazquez and Smith, other hall of fame jockeys in the 2025 edition of the Kentucky Derby include Javier Castellano and Joel Rosario. Castellano won the Kentucky Derby in 2023 with Mage, while Rosario guided Orb to the blanket of roses in 2013.
On the other side of the experience coin, five riders are slated to make their Kentucky Derby debut: Nik Juarez, Luan Machado, Joao Moreira, Joe Ramos and Juan Vargas. First-time Kentucky Derby riders have won the race five times, most recently in 2022 when Sonny León shocked the world to the tune of 80-1 odds with Rich Strike.
Jockey | Horse | Derby |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Alvarado | Sovereignty | 5: 0-0-0 |
| Javier Castellano | Owen Almighty | 16: 1-0-1 |
| Manny Franco | East Avenue | 5: 0-1-0 |
| Martin Garcia | Citizen Bull | 4: 0-0-1 |
| Brian Hernandez Jr. | Burnham Square | 5: 1-0-0 |
| Nik Juarez | American Promise | 0: 0-0-0 |
| Christophe Lemaire | Admire Daytona | 2: 0-0-0 |
| Julien Leparoux | Render Judgment | 14: 0-0-0 |
| Jareth Loveberry | Chunk of Gold | 1: 0-1-0 |
| Luan Machado | Final Gambit | 0: 0-0-0 |
| Joao Moreira | Luxor Cafe | 0: 0-0-0 |
| Irad Ortiz Jr. | Publisher | 8: 0-0-0 |
| Jose Ortiz | Sandman | 9: 0-1-1 |
| Flavien Prat | Baeza, Neoequos* | 7: 1-1-3 |
| Joe Ramos | Flying Mohawk | 0: 0-0-0 |
| Umberto Rispoli | Journalism | 2: 0-0-0 |
| Joel Rosario | Tiztastic | 13: 1-1-0 |
| Mike Smith | Rodriguez | 28: 2-4-1 |
| Juan Vargas | Coal Battle | 0: 0-0-0 |
| John Velazquez | Grande | 26: 3-2-0 |
Júnior Alvarado – Sovereignty
Alvarado’s best Derby was a fourth-place finish with Mohaymen in 2016. Last year, he was sixth on Resilience. Junior Alvarado rode Sovereignty for his first four starts, with two wins in graded stakes, before Manny Franco finished second with him in the Florida Derby.
Javier Castellano – Owen Almighty
It took him 16 tries, but Castellano won his first Derby in 2023 with Mage. He also hit the board in 2018 with Audible in third. The Kentucky Derby will be his first mount on Owen Almighty.
Manny Franco – East Avenue
Franco’s best showing was second with Tiz the Law in 2020. In his most recent Derby, he was fifth with Hit Show in 2023. The Kentucky Derby will be his first start on East Avenue.
Martin Garcia – Citizen Bull
Garcia’s best Derby showing was also his most recent, a third-place finish on Dortmund in 2015. Garcia has ridden Citizen Bull for five of his six career starts, including all of his wins and his fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Brian Hernandez Jr. – Burnham Square
Hernandez’s only Derby victory was last year with Mystik Dan for trainer Kenny McPeek. He also became the eighth jockey to get the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double after winning the lilies with Thorpedo Anna. Hernandez rode Burnham Square for the first time in winning the Blue Grass (G1). Hernandez rode for Burnham Square's trainer Ian Wilkes once before in the Kentucky Derby, guiding McCraken to an eighth-place finish in 2017.
Nik Juarez – American Promise
This will be the Derby debut for Juarez, whose highest-level wins so far have come at the Grade 2 level with Actress in the 2017 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) and Projected in the 2017 Baltimore-Washington International Turf Cup (G2). His win with American Promise in the Virginia Derby was his first start on the colt.
Christophe Lemaire – Admire Daytona
Lemaire is a mainstay in Japan, and both of his previous Derby mounts have been based there. He finished sixth with Derma Sotogake in 2013 and 13th with Crown Pride in 2022. He has ridden Admire Daytona in four of his six starts, including his last out-win in the UAE Derby (G2).
Julien Leparoux – Render Judgment
Leparoux has ridden in 14 editions of the Kentucky Derby but has yet to hit the board in the run for the roses. His best Kentucky Derby result came with Classic Empire, who placed fourth behind Always Dreaming in 2017. This will be Leparoux's first time riding Render Judgment for trainer Kenny McPeek, who won the Kentucky Derby last year with Mystik Dan.
Alvarado’s best Derby was a fourth-place finish with Mohaymen in 2016. Last year, he was sixth on Resilience. Junior Alvarado rode Sovereignty for his first four starts, with two wins in graded stakes, before Manny Franco finished second with him in the Florida Derby.
| Júnior Alvarado 5:0-0-0 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohaymen | 2016 | 4th | 11.8 |
| Enticed | 2018 | 14th | 50.3 |
| Tax | 2019 | 14th | 35.5 |
| Rocket Can | 2023 | 9th | 28.81 |
| Resilience | 2024 | 6th | 31.85 |
Javier Castellano – Owen Almighty
It took him 16 tries, but Castellano won his first Derby in 2023 with Mage. He also hit the board in 2018 with Audible in third. The Kentucky Derby will be his first mount on Owen Almighty.
| Javier Castellano 16: 1-0-1 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellamy Road | 2005 | 7th | 2.60 |
| Bwana Bull | 2007 | 15th | 50.30 |
| Big Truck | 2008 | 18th | 28.60 |
| Discreetly Mine | 2010 | 13th | 31.60 |
| Derby Kitten | 2011 | 13th | 36.30 |
| Gemologist | 2012 | 16th | 8.60 |
| Normandy Invasion | 2013 | 4th | 9.30 |
| We Miss Artie | 2014 | 10th | 27.60 |
| Materiality | 2015 | 6th | 11.50 |
| Destin | 2016 | 6th | 18.00 |
| Gunnevera | 2017 | 7th | 10.00 |
| Audible | 2018 | 3rd | 7.00 |
| Vekoma | 2019 | 12th | 16.80 |
| Money Moves | 2020 | 13th | 13.10 |
| Highly Motivated | 2021 | 9th | 10.70 |
| Mage | 2023 | 1st | 15.21 |
Manny Franco – East Avenue
Franco’s best showing was second with Tiz the Law in 2020. In his most recent Derby, he was fifth with Hit Show in 2023. The Kentucky Derby will be his first start on East Avenue.
| Manuel Franco 5: 0-1-0 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tencendur | 2015 | 17th | 52.30 |
| Spinoff | 2019 | 18th | 52.30 |
| Tiz the Law | 2020 | 2nd | 0.70 |
| Zozos | 2022 | 10th | 48.70 |
| Hit Show | 2023 | 5th | 24.02 |
Martin Garcia – Citizen Bull
Garcia’s best Derby showing was also his most recent, a third-place finish on Dortmund in 2015. Garcia has ridden Citizen Bull for five of his six career starts, including all of his wins and his fourth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
| Martin Garcia 4: 0-0-1 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conveyance | 2010 | 15th | 27.00 |
| Liaison | 2012 | 6th | 56.20 |
| Chitu | 2014 | 9th | 25.50 |
| Dortmund | 2015 | 3rd | 4.30 |
Brian Hernandez Jr. – Burnham Square
Hernandez’s only Derby victory was last year with Mystik Dan for trainer Kenny McPeek. He also became the eighth jockey to get the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double after winning the lilies with Thorpedo Anna. Hernandez rode Burnham Square for the first time in winning the Blue Grass (G1). Hernandez rode for Burnham Square's trainer Ian Wilkes once before in the Kentucky Derby, guiding McCraken to an eighth-place finish in 2017.
| Brian Hernandez Jr. 5: 1-0-0 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tom's Ready | 2016 | 12th | 49.10 |
| McCraken | 2017 | 8th | 6.90 |
| Tiz the Bomb | 2022 | 9th | 31.00 |
| Sun Thunder | 2023 | 11th | 33.06 |
| Mystik Dan | 2024 | 1st | 18.61 |
Nik Juarez – American Promise
This will be the Derby debut for Juarez, whose highest-level wins so far have come at the Grade 2 level with Actress in the 2017 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) and Projected in the 2017 Baltimore-Washington International Turf Cup (G2). His win with American Promise in the Virginia Derby was his first start on the colt.
Christophe Lemaire – Admire Daytona
Lemaire is a mainstay in Japan, and both of his previous Derby mounts have been based there. He finished sixth with Derma Sotogake in 2013 and 13th with Crown Pride in 2022. He has ridden Admire Daytona in four of his six starts, including his last out-win in the UAE Derby (G2).
| Christophe Lemaire 2: 0-0-0 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown Pride | 2022 | 13th | 17.50 |
| Derma Sotogake | 2023 | 6th | 7.80 |
Julien Leparoux – Render Judgment
Leparoux has ridden in 14 editions of the Kentucky Derby but has yet to hit the board in the run for the roses. His best Kentucky Derby result came with Classic Empire, who placed fourth behind Always Dreaming in 2017. This will be Leparoux's first time riding Render Judgment for trainer Kenny McPeek, who won the Kentucky Derby last year with Mystik Dan.
| Julien Leparoux 14: 0-0-0 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedgefield | 2007 | 5th | 58.60 |
| Cool Coal Man | 2008 | 15th | 44.10 |
| General Quarters | 2009 | 10th | 10.30 |
| Awesome Act | 2010 | 19th | 11.60 |
| Dialed In | 2011 | 8th | 5.20 |
| Union Rags | 2012 | 7th | 5.10 |
| Java's War | 2013 | 13th | 21.50 |
| Danzig Moon | 2015 | 5th | 22.60 |
| Oscar Nominated | 2016 | 17th | 42.30 |
| Classic Empire | 2017 | 4th | 6.80 |
| Master Fencer | 2019 | 6th | 58.60 |
| Storm the Court | 2020 | 6th | 27.50 |
| Helium | 2021 | 7th | 38.10 |
| Classic Causeway | 2022 | 11th | 78.90 |
Jareth Loveberry – Chunk of Gold
Loveberry’s only Derby appearance was in 2023 with Two Phil’s, who finished second to Mage after getting caught in the stretch. He’s been aboard Chunk of Gold for his last two starts, which were second-place finishes in the Risen Star (G2) and Louisiana Derby.
Luan Machado – Final Gambit
This will be the Derby debut for Machado. He has ridden Final Gambit in his last three starts, including his maiden win and his victory in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3).
Joao Moreira – Luxor Cafe
Moreira has ridden around the world, but this will be his first Kentucky Derby. He won the Fukuryu Stakes in Japan with Luxor Cafe. His only start with Luxor Cafe was his last-out win in the Fukuryu.
Irad Ortiz Jr. – Publisher
Ortiz has ridden in the Kentucky Derby eight times, with his best finish being a fourth-place with favored Improbable in 2019. Last year, he was on Domestic Product in 13th. The Kentucky Derby will be his first start with Publisher.
José Ortiz – Sandman
Ortiz’s best Derby result was a second-place finish on Good Magic in 2018, 2 1/2 lengths behind Justify. Last year, he was 19th with Catalytic. Ortiz has ridden Sandman three times, including his last-out win in the Arkansas Derby (G1) and twice as a juvenile at Churchill Downs.
Flavien Prat – Baeza, Neoequos
Prat’s best Kentucky Derby effort was when he crossed the wire second with Country House in 2019, which later became a win with Maximum Security’s disqualification. He was third across the line in the 2021 Derby with Hot Rod Charlie but was promoted to second when Medina Spirit’s win was disallowed. Across his seven Kentucky Derby mounts he has only finished out of the superfecta once. Whether Baeza draws in or he ends up riding Neoequos after all, the Kentucky Derby will be his first start on his mount.
Joe Ramos – Flying Mohawk
This will be the Derby debut for Ramos, who has been riding since 2019. He rode Flying Mohawk in his most recent start, a second-place effort in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway. His first-ever graded-stakes victory came on the same day with Mercante in the Kentucky Cup Classic (G3).
Umberto Rispoli – Journalism
Rispoli was ninth with Endlessly last year and 14th with Brooklyn Strong in 2021. Rispoli has ridden Journalism in his last three starts, all graded-stakes wins.
Joel Rosario – Tiztastic
Rosario won the 2013 Derby on Orb and was second with Epicenter in 2022, when Rich Strike surprised him late. Last year, he was 11th with Track Phantom. Rosario has ridden Tiztastic once, when they won the Louisiana Derby (G2).
Loveberry’s only Derby appearance was in 2023 with Two Phil’s, who finished second to Mage after getting caught in the stretch. He’s been aboard Chunk of Gold for his last two starts, which were second-place finishes in the Risen Star (G2) and Louisiana Derby.
| Jareth Loveberry 1: 0-1-0 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two Phil's | 2023 | 2nd | 9.87 |
Luan Machado – Final Gambit
This will be the Derby debut for Machado. He has ridden Final Gambit in his last three starts, including his maiden win and his victory in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3).
Joao Moreira – Luxor Cafe
Moreira has ridden around the world, but this will be his first Kentucky Derby. He won the Fukuryu Stakes in Japan with Luxor Cafe. His only start with Luxor Cafe was his last-out win in the Fukuryu.
Irad Ortiz Jr. – Publisher
Ortiz has ridden in the Kentucky Derby eight times, with his best finish being a fourth-place with favored Improbable in 2019. Last year, he was on Domestic Product in 13th. The Kentucky Derby will be his first start with Publisher.
| Irad Ortiz Jr. 8: 0-0-0 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uncle Sigh | 2014 | 14th | 30.80 |
| My Man Sam | 2016 | 11th | 19.50 |
| Hofburg | 2018 | 7th | 27.00 |
| Improbable | 2019 | 4th | 4.00 |
| Known Agenda | 2021 | 8th | 9.90 |
| Mo Donegal | 2022 | 5th | 10.10 |
| Cyclone Mischief | 2023 | 18th | 29.02 |
| Domestic Product | 2024 | 13th | 24.17 |
José Ortiz – Sandman
Ortiz’s best Derby result was a second-place finish on Good Magic in 2018, 2 1/2 lengths behind Justify. Last year, he was 19th with Catalytic. Ortiz has ridden Sandman three times, including his last-out win in the Arkansas Derby (G1) and twice as a juvenile at Churchill Downs.
| José Ortiz 9: 0-1-1 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samraat | 2014 | 5th | 16.70 |
| Upstart | 2015 | 18th | 15.70 |
| Tapwrit | 2017 | 6th | 27.10 |
| Good Magic | 2018 | 2nd | 9.70 |
| Tacitus | 2019 | 3rd | 5.80 |
| Dynamic One | 2021 | 17th | 45.30 |
| Simplification | 2022 | 4th | 35.30 |
| Kingsbarns | 2023 | 14th | 11.72 |
| Catalytic | 2024 | 19th | 34.82 |
Flavien Prat – Baeza, Neoequos
Prat’s best Kentucky Derby effort was when he crossed the wire second with Country House in 2019, which later became a win with Maximum Security’s disqualification. He was third across the line in the 2021 Derby with Hot Rod Charlie but was promoted to second when Medina Spirit’s win was disallowed. Across his seven Kentucky Derby mounts he has only finished out of the superfecta once. Whether Baeza draws in or he ends up riding Neoequos after all, the Kentucky Derby will be his first start on his mount.
| Flavien Prat 7: 1-1-3 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle of Midway | 2017 | 3rd | 40.00 |
| Solomini | 2018 | 10th | 62.90 |
| Country House | 2019 | 1st | 65.20 |
| Hot Rod Charlie | 2021 | 2nd | 5.60 |
| Zandon | 2022 | 3rd | 6.10 |
| Angel of Empire | 2023 | 3rd | 4.06 |
| Catching Freedom | 2024 | 4th | 8.47 |
Joe Ramos – Flying Mohawk
This will be the Derby debut for Ramos, who has been riding since 2019. He rode Flying Mohawk in his most recent start, a second-place effort in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway. His first-ever graded-stakes victory came on the same day with Mercante in the Kentucky Cup Classic (G3).
Umberto Rispoli – Journalism
Rispoli was ninth with Endlessly last year and 14th with Brooklyn Strong in 2021. Rispoli has ridden Journalism in his last three starts, all graded-stakes wins.
| Umberto Rispoli 2: 0-0-0 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Strong | 2021 | 14th | 43.50 |
| Endlessly | 2024 | 9th | 48.83 |
Joel Rosario – Tiztastic
Rosario won the 2013 Derby on Orb and was second with Epicenter in 2022, when Rich Strike surprised him late. Last year, he was 11th with Track Phantom. Rosario has ridden Tiztastic once, when they won the Louisiana Derby (G2).
| Joel Rosario 13: 1-1-0 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Make Music for Me | 2010 | 4th | 30.00 |
| Brilliant Speed | 2011 | 7th | 27.90 |
| Creative Cause | 2012 | 5th | 11.90 |
| Orb | 2013 | 1st | *5.40 |
| General a Rod | 2014 | 11th | 30.70 |
| Frosted | 2015 | 4th | 10.30 |
| Shagaf | 2016 | DNF | 56.00 |
| Practical Joke | 2017 | 5th | 27.80 |
| Game Winner | 2019 | 5th | 6.80 |
| Rock Your World | 2021 | 16th | 4.70 |
| Epicenter | 2022 | 2nd | *4.10 |
| Disarm | 2023 | 4th | 27.12 |
| Track Phantom | 2024 | 11th | 41.58 |
Mike Smith – Rodriguez
Smith has ridden in the Kentucky Derby 28 times, the most of any jockey in history, hitting the board in seven of those starts. He won the Derby in 2018 with Justify on the way to the Triple Crown for trainer Bob Baffert, who also trained Rodriguez. He also won with 50-1 long shot Giacomo in 2005. Smith’s only start with Rodriguez was in his Wood Memorial (G2) win.
Juan Vargas – Coal Battle
This will be the Derby debut for Vargas, who has been riding since 2008 and won four graded stakes in that time. However, his win in the Rebel Stakes (G2) with Coal Battle was his first in over a decade, since the 2014 Fair Grounds Handicap (G2) with Potomac River. Vargas has ridden Coal Battle for all but one of his eight career starts, including his four wins before he finished third in the Arkansas Derby.
John Velazquez – Grande
Velazquez has had more Derby mounts than anyone in this year’s race except for Mike Smith, and is a joint second all-time behind Smith and tied with Bill Shoemaker. He also has the most wins of anyone in the 2025 field: with Authentic in 2020, Always Dreaming in 2017 and Animal Kingdom in 2011. Last year, he was 15th with Fierceness.
Velazquez rode Grande to wins in his first two starts, both wins, before Dylan Davis rode him to a second-place finish in the Wood Memorial.
Smith has ridden in the Kentucky Derby 28 times, the most of any jockey in history, hitting the board in seven of those starts. He won the Derby in 2018 with Justify on the way to the Triple Crown for trainer Bob Baffert, who also trained Rodriguez. He also won with 50-1 long shot Giacomo in 2005. Smith’s only start with Rodriguez was in his Wood Memorial (G2) win.
| Mike Smith 28-2-4-1 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Circle | 1984 | 6th | 6.00 |
| Thirty Six Red | 1990 | 9th | 5.80 |
| Devil His Due | 1992 | 12th | 21.60 |
| Prairie Bayou | 1993 | 2nd | 4.40 |
| Holy Bull | 1994 | 12th | 2.20 |
| Talkin Man | 1995 | 12th | 4.00 |
| Unbridled's Song | 1996 | 5th | 3.50 |
| Hello | 1997 | 8th | 9.60 |
| Cat Thief | 1999 | 3rd | 7.40 |
| Proud Citizen | 2002 | 2nd | 23.30 |
| Lion Heart | 2004 | 2nd | 5.40 |
| Giacomo | 2005 | 1st | 50.30 |
| Flashy Bull | 2006 | 14th | 43.00 |
| Tiago | 2007 | 7th | 14.80 |
| Gayego | 2008 | 17th | 18.90 |
| Chocolate Candy | 2009 | 5th | 10.00 |
| Jackson Bend | 2010 | 12th | 23.00 |
| Twinspired | 2011 | 17th | 32.90 |
| Bodemeister | 2012 | 2nd | 4.20 |
| Palace Malice | 2013 | 12th | 23.70 |
| Far Right | 2015 | 15th | 39.20 |
| Danzing Candy | 2016 | 15th | 25.70 |
| Girvin | 2017 | 13th | 22.10 |
| Justify | 2018 | 1st | 2.90 |
| Cutting Humor | 2019 | 10th | 24.10 |
| Honor A. P. | 2020 | 4th | 7.60 |
| Midnight Bourbon | 2021 | 5th | 13.20 |
| Taiba | 2022 | 12th | 5.80 |
Juan Vargas – Coal Battle
This will be the Derby debut for Vargas, who has been riding since 2008 and won four graded stakes in that time. However, his win in the Rebel Stakes (G2) with Coal Battle was his first in over a decade, since the 2014 Fair Grounds Handicap (G2) with Potomac River. Vargas has ridden Coal Battle for all but one of his eight career starts, including his four wins before he finished third in the Arkansas Derby.
John Velazquez – Grande
Velazquez has had more Derby mounts than anyone in this year’s race except for Mike Smith, and is a joint second all-time behind Smith and tied with Bill Shoemaker. He also has the most wins of anyone in the 2025 field: with Authentic in 2020, Always Dreaming in 2017 and Animal Kingdom in 2011. Last year, he was 15th with Fierceness.
Velazquez rode Grande to wins in his first two starts, both wins, before Dylan Davis rode him to a second-place finish in the Wood Memorial.
| John Velázquez 26: 3-2-0 | Year | Fin. | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for Pleasure | 1996 | 19th | 24.80 |
| Basic Trainee | 1998 | 15th | 69.80 |
| Three Ring (filly) | 1999 | 19th | 25.60 |
| More Than Ready | 2000 | 4th | 11.30 |
| Invisible Ink | 2001 | 2nd | 55.00 |
| Saarland | 2002 | 10th | 6.90 |
| Pollard's Vision | 2004 | 17th | 24.00 |
| Bandini | 2005 | 19th | 6.80 |
| Circular Quay | 2007 | 6th | 11.40 |
| Cowboy Cal | 2008 | 9th | 39.20 |
| Mr. Hot Stuff | 2009 | 15th | 28.40 |
| Devil May Care (filly) | 2010 | 10th | 10.90 |
| Animal Kingdom | 2011 | 1st | 20.90 |
| Went the Day Well | 2012 | 4th | 30.60 |
| Verrazano | 2013 | 14th | 8.70 |
| Intense Holiday | 2014 | 12th | 14.10 |
| Carpe Diem | 2015 | 10th | 7.70 |
| Outwork | 2016 | 14th | 26.50 |
| Always Dreaming | 2017 | 1st | 4.70 |
| Vino Rosso | 2018 | 9th | 14.10 |
| Code of Honor | 2019 | 2nd | 14.40 |
| Authentic | 2020 | 1st | 8.40 |
| Medina Spirit | 2021 | x19th | 12.10 |
| Messier | 2022 | 15th | 7.10 |
| Reincarnate | 2023 | 13th | 14.76 |
| Fierceness | 2024 | 15th | 3.21 |
Kentucky Oaks
#11 Good Cheer wins the Fair Grounds Oaks.
#11 Good Cheer wins the Fair Grounds Oaks.
Kentucky Oaks
#14 Quietside wins the Fantasy Stakes.
#14 Quietside wins the Fantasy Stakes.
Kentucky Oaks
#7 La Cara wins the Ashland Stakes.
#7 La Cara wins the Ashland Stakes.
Admire Daytona finishing five furlongs in 1:02.40 inside Greatdayforhockey.
Splits: 13.40, 25.60, 49.40, 102.40/116.20
Splits: 13.40, 25.60, 49.40, 102.40/116.20
