The 2025 Kentucky Derby is quickly approaching, as 19 horses are scheduled to load for a 6:57 p.m. ET publish time at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Two 2025 Kentucky Derby horses have scratched this week, most notably Rodriguez, a Bob Baffert-trained horse who was 12-1 within the 2025 Kentucky Derby odds. The Rodriguez information got here on Thursday, after which Grande (20-1) exited the 2025 Kentucky Derby area on Friday. There was one alternate, Baeza, who was added at 12-1, leaving the 2025 Kentucky Derby lineup one shy of capability. How will these lineup modifications 2025 Kentucky Derby betting, and which 2025 Kentucky Derby favorites like Journalism (3-1) and Sovereignty (5-1) do you have to goal on a doubtlessly moist and muddy observe? Earlier than making any 2025 Kentucky Derby picks, you will wish to see what SportsLine horse racing expert Gene Menez has to say before making any 2025 Kentucky Derby picks or horse racing predictions.
A former reporter and editor at Sports activities Illustrated, Menez coated an array of sports activities, together with horse racing, for the journal and its web site for nearly 14 years. Between 2010 and 2012, he served as SI’s handicapper for the Triple Crown races and accurately predicted Tremendous Saver to win the Kentucky Derby in 2010.
In 2015, Menez precisely gave out the Kentucky Derby superfecta, which paid $1,268.20 for $2. In 2017, he tweeted out his Kentucky Derby picks, together with All the time Dreaming to win, and hit the Choose 4, which paid virtually $6,900 on a $1 wager.
In Might of final 12 months, Menez nailed 18-1 Mystik Dan as a reside longshot within the Kentucky Derby. In November, he crushed the late Choose 4 on Breeders’ Cup Saturday for a $5,303 jackpot. This 12 months, he hit the winner and exacta within the Holy Bull Stakes and the winner, trifecta and superfecta within the Florida Derby. Anybody who has adopted him on betting apps like TwinSpires and 1/ST BET might have been approach up.
For the Run for the Roses, Menez has handicapped the 2025 Kentucky Derby area, made his picks and constructed his greatest bets. You can head to SportsLine now to see them.
Prime 2025 Kentucky Derby predictions
One among Menez’ shocking 2025 Kentucky Derby picks: He’s fading Sandman (6-1), despite the fact that he gained the Arkansas Derby and is among the prime 2025 Kentucky Derby favorites. Seven Arkansas Derby winners have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby. It hasn’t occurred since Nation Home in 2019, nevertheless. Final 12 months’s Arkansas Derby, Muth, was too injured to run through the Triple Crown season. In 2023, Angel of Empire gained the Arkansas Derby after which settled for third on the Kentucky Derby.
Menez is skeptical of Sandman’s probabilities this 12 months. He calls it a “harmful proposition” to again closers like Sandman as a result of they’re depending on a scorching tempo up entrance. Menez thinks a late cost to a third-place end is the best-case situation for Sandman, making him a horse to fade when finalizing how to bet the Kentucky Derby 2025.
One other curveball: Menez is excessive on Burnham Square, despite the fact that he’s a 12-1 longshot within the Kentucky Derby odds 2025. Burnham Sq. is making an attempt to develop into the primary Blue Grass Stakes winner to win the Kentucky Derby since 1991.
The colt has demonstrated persistence and likes to settle into the race earlier than making a push to the entrance. He additionally gained precious observe expertise at Churchill Downs final November and shall be ridden by 2024 Kentucky Derby-winning hockey Brian Hernandez. Menez is aware of there are a number of succesful closers within the 2025 Kentucky Derby area, however he prefers Burnham Sq. probably the most resulting from his tactical velocity. See which 2025 Kentucky Derby horses he likes at SportsLine.
Learn how to make 2025 Kentucky Derby bets, picks
Menez’ prime decide is a horse who “is bred to solely get higher with the added distance.” He is additionally excessive on a double-digit longshot who owns “probably the most superior flip of foot of any of the Kentucky Derby hopefuls.” Menez is sharing who he likes over at SportsLine.
Which horse wins the Kentucky Derby 2025, and which double-digit longshot is a must-back? Try the most recent 2025 Kentucky Derby odds under, then visit SportsLine to see Menez’ picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the expert who called Mystik Dan as an 18-1 live longshot in last year’s race.
2025 Kentucky Derby odds, publish positions
2025 Kentucky Derby contenders
1 Citizen Bull | 2 Neoequos | 3 Final Gambit | 4 Rodriguez | 5 American Promise | 6 Admire Daytona | 7 Luxor Cafe | 8 Journalism | 9 Burnham Square | 10 Grande | 11 Flying Mohawk | 12 East Avenue | 13 Publisher | 14 Tiztastic | 15 Render Judgment | 16 Coal Battle | 17 Sandman | 18 Sovereignty | 19 Chunk of Gold | 20 Owen Almighty
