The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby ended with a dramatic stretch duel as Sovereignty caught and passed favored Journalism.
Now attention will be turned to the Preakness Stakes as the Triple Crown trail continues.
Below is what the 2025 Kentucky Derby odds picture looked like. We'll have the odds for the 2026 Kentucky Derby from the top Kentucky Derby betting sites when they go live.
Odds for the 2025 Kentucky Derby horses
Horses are listed here by their Kentucky Derby odds set by Churchill Downs' Mike Battaglia, with their Kentucky Derby post positions on the left.
| Post | Horse |  * |
 ** |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Journalism | +300 | 3-1 | +300 |
| 18 | Sovereignty | +500 | 5-1 | +500 |
| 17 | Sandman | +600 | 6-1 | +600 |
| 9 | Burnham Square | +1200 | 12-1 | +1200 |
| 21 | Baeza | +1200 | 12-1 | +1200 |
| 7 | Luxor Cafe | +1500 | 15-1 | +1500 |
| 1 | Citizen Bull | +2000 | 20-1 | +2000 |
| 12 | East Avenue | +2000 | 20-1 | +2000 |
| 13 | Publisher | +2000 | 20-1 | +2000 |
| 14 | Tiztastic | +2000 | 20-1 | +2000 |
| 2 | Neoequos | +3000 | 30-1 | +3000 |
| 3 | Final Gambit | +3000 | 30-1 | +3000 |
| 5 | American Promise | +3000 | 30-1 | +3000 |
| 6 | Admire Daytona | +3000 | 30-1 | +3000 |
| 11 | Flying Mohawk | +3000 | 30-1 | +3000 |
| 15 | Render Judgement | +3000 | 30-1 | +3000 |
| 16 | Coal Battle | +3000 | 30-1 | +3000 |
| 19 | Chunk of Gold | +3000 | 30-1 | +3000 |
| 20 | Owen Almighty | +3000 | 30-1 | +3000 |
*FanDuel Racing odds available in AZ, CO, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY
**bet365 Kentucky Derby odds are not available in the United States
Best Kentucky Derby betting sites
Where to bet on the Derby in the USA
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🏇 Top contenders & odds
- Journalism (3-1): The winner of the Santa Anita Derby, Journalism is the clear-cut favorite.
- Sovereignty (5-1): Triumphed in the Fountain of Youth Stakes and ran second in the Florida Derby.
- Sandman (6-1): Has had issues with slow starts but secured victory in the Arkansas Derby.
🔍 Expert insights
Journalism is a deserving favorite off his Santa Anita Derby win, but don't overlook Chunk of Gold at +3000. There's a good deal of pace signed on for the Kentucky Derby, and this late closer will be heard from in the lane based on his runner-up results in a pair of Fair Grounds preps.
- Baeza (12-1): Tested Journalism while settling for second in Santa Anita Derby.
- Burnham Square (12-1): Shook off disappointing Fountain of Youth effort with a score in the Blue Grass Stakes.
- Luxor Cafe (15-1): Won the Fukuryu Stakes on the Japan road to the Derby, good for his fourth straight victory.
🐴 Spotlight: Journalism
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Sire: Curlin
Recent Form: 1st - Santa Anita Derby
Journalism beat a well-regarded runner in Gaming in the Los Alamitos Futurity to close out his two-year-old career, then grinded down prize colt Barnes to kick off his sophomore campaign in the San Felipe Stakes. He punched his ticket to Churchill in the Santa Anita Derby over Baeza, with Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Citizen Bull as well as Barnes far behind.
Journalism has Curlin on top and Uncle Mo on the bottom of his pedigree, so he's bred to run all day and age like fine wine.
🎯 Kentucky Derby long shot to watch: Coal Battle
Coal Battle was much closer to an Arkansas Derby pace that completely fell apart than eventual winner Sandman or runner-up Publisher was, and that may have taken the starch out of his late kick. This son of Coal Front had won each of his prior four starts, including the Grade II Rebel Stakes two-back.
What Are Morning Line Odds in Horse Racing?
Morning line odds in horse racing are the initial odds set by the track handicapper before betting begins. They serve as a prediction of how the public will bet once wagering opens.
Quick Breakdown:- 🧠 Set by an expert: A track oddsmaker analyzes the field and posts what they think the final odds will be based on factors like past performance and trainer/jockey combinations.
- 🕗 Published in advance: These odds are typically released the day before or the morning of the race.
- 🎯 Not fixed odds: They are only a forecast. Once betting opens, the actual odds change based on money wagered in the pari-mutuel pool.
- 📉 Useful for early insight: Bettors use morning line odds to spot potential value or overlays—horses whose odds drift higher than expected.
Kentucky Derby 151 insights from bet365
- Journalism has gained approximately 27% of all bets so far, and is followed by Sovereignty (15%) and Sandman (13%).
- Citizen Bull has seen a lot of support over the last couple of days, and rounds out the Top 4 for overall tickets, with approximately 12%.
- Another horse seeing decent support is the Japan-based colt Luxor Café at 10%. Luxor Café has been running very well in Japan this year, but this is his first race in North America.
Who won the Kentucky Derby, and what were the odds?
Although the Kentucky Derby favorite dominated at Churchill Downs from 2013 to 2018, Country House won the Run for the Roses in 2019 as the second-biggest underdog in Derby history at 65/1. Just three years later, Rich Strike surpassed Country House when he won the "Run for the Roses" at 80/1.
Here are the winners of the Kentucky Derby since 2000, their post positions, and their final odds.
| Year | Kentucky Derby Winner | Post Position | Final Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Sovereignty | 16 | 7/1 |
| 2024 | Mystik Dan | 3 | 18/1 |
| 2023 | Mage | 8 | 14/1 |
| 2022 | Rich Strike | 20 | 80/1 |
| 2021 | Medina Spirit | 8 | 12/1 |
| 2020 | Authentic | 18 | 8/1 |
| 2019 | Country House | 20 | 65/1 |
| 2018 | Justify | 7 | 5/2 |
| 2017 | Always Dreaming | 5 | 9/2 |
| 2016 | Nyquist | 13 | 2/1 |
| 2015 | American Pharoah | 18 | 5/2 |
| 2014 | California Chrome | 5 | 5/2 |
| 2013 | Orb | 16 | 5/1 |
| 2012 | I'll Have Another | 19 | 15/1 |
| 2011 | Animal Kingdom | 16 | 20/1 |
| 2010 | Super Saver | 4 | 8/1 |
| 2009 | Mine That Bird | 8 | 50/1 |
| 2008 | Big Brown | 20 | 7/2 |
| 2007 | Street Sense | 7 | 9/2 |
| 2006 | Barbaro | 3 | 6/1 |
| 2005 | Giacomo | 10 | 50/1 |
| 2004 | Smarty Jones | 13 | 4/1 |
| 2003 | Funny Cide | 5 | 13/1 |
| 2002 | War Emblem | 5 | 41/2 |
| 2001 | Monarchos | 16 | 21/2 |
| 2000 | Fusaichi Pegasus | 15 | 9/5 |
🎓 Betting education and resources
Kentucky Derby odds FAQs
Journalism is the current betting favorite for the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
Most odds you will see for the Kentucky Derby are the odds to win the race. The odds above are listed in Fractional format.
Mage was a 14-1 underdog to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
If a horse racing at the Kentucky Derby has 80 to 1 odds and you place a bet on that horse, you stand to make a significant return if that horse wins. For instance, if you bet $1 and your horse wins, you would receive $80 in winnings, plus your original $1 stake back, for a total payout of $81. As always, it's crucial to understand that horse racing outcomes and betting are unpredictable, and it's important to only bet what you can afford to lose.
Journalism is the current betting favorite for the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby odds are calculated based on a combination of factors, including the horse's past performance, its perceived ability, the jockey's reputation, and the betting patterns of the public.
