2025 Kentucky Derby Day: Expert Picks and Tips

Overview

• The Kentucky Derby is the highlight race of a 14-race card at Churchill Downs on May 3.
• Key races include the Churchill Downs Stakes, American Turf, and Old Forester Turf Classic.

Race Summaries and Picks

Race 1

• Trainer: Michael McCarthy
• Horse to Watch: No. 1 Knicks Code (first-time starter)
• Best Previous Runner: No. 11 Coffee Talk
• Picks: 1-11

Race 2

• Horse to Watch: No. 10 Generous Love (early speed)
• Underneath Play: No. 11 Barbratina
• Picks: 10-11

Race 3

• Top Pick: No. 5 Goal Oriented (impressive debut)
• Other Contenders: No. 3 Valentinian, No. 9 Tiz Secure
• Picks: 5-3-9

Race 4

• Start of All-Dirt Pick-5
• Horses to Watch: No. 6 Kupuna, No. 12 Patriot Spirit, No. 9 Liberal Arts
• Picks: 6-12-9

Race 5

• Key Horses: No. 2 Movin On Up, No. 5 Five Towns
• Potential Upset: No. 6 Sacred Wish
• Picks: 2-5-6

Race 6

• Top Contenders: No. 1 Madaket Road, No. 2 Built
• Value Bet: No. 3 California Burrito
• Picks: 3-7-5

Race 7

• Speed Horses: No. 1 Coppola, No. 8 Rogue Lightning
• Underrated: No. 7 Think Big
• Picks: 8-7-6

Race 8

• Grade 1 Churchill Downs Stakes
• Top Horse: No. 10 Nysos
• Contenders: No. 11 Mullikin, No. 2 Banishing, No. 4 Giant Mischief
• Picks: 10-11-2-4

Race 9

• American Turf Stakes
• Top Pick: No. 3 New Century
• Other Contenders: No. 7 Zulu Kingdom, No. 10 Iron Man Cal
• Picks: 3-7-10

Race 10

• Distance Specialist: No. 2 Kopion
• Returning Horses: No. 7 Vahva, No. 8 Ways and Means
• Pick: 2 (single)

Race 11

• Old Forrester Turf Classic
• Top Horse: No. 10 Spirit of St Louis
• Other Contenders: No. 3 Highway Robber, No. 2 Gold Phoenix
• Picks: 10-3-2

Race 12

• The Kentucky Derby
• Favorite: No. 8 Journalism
• Top Contenders: No. 19 Chunk of Gold, No. 4 Rodriguez
• Picks: 8-19-4

Race 13

• Allowance Race
• Horse to Watch: No. 11 Patch Adams
• Contenders: No. 14 Big Truzz, No. 9 Romanesque
• Picks: 11-14-9

Race 14

• Interesting Horse: No. 12 Pursuitneversleeps
• Other Contender: No. 5 Advanced Spirit
• Picks: 12-5

Important Notes

• Gambling involves risk. Only gamble with funds you can afford to lose.
• Past performances do not guarantee future results, and betting odds can fluctuate.