The Holy Bull, Robert Lewis, and Withers Stakes were the most recent Kentucky Derby 2025 points races, and in this report, I will recap those races plus the Southwest, update the Derby points standings, and share my latest exceptional 11 Derby contenders.
In other Derby news, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile show finisher Hill Road is now trained by Chad Brown. He worked 3f in 37.00 (2/25) at Payson Park on Feb. 3. That was his first work of the year and he is running out of time to make the Derby. He is nominated to the 2025 Triple Crown Series.
Colloquial ran a hole in the wind in a special weight dirt sprint at Aqueduct on Feb. 7. He rallied to win by 7 lengths as the strong favorite and was geared down at the end. The son of Vekoma, out of a Bernardini mare, completed 6 1/2 furlongs in 1;16.89, and that was the fastest speed figure by a 3-year-old this year. His third dam Gal in a Ruckus won the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in 1995. George Weaver trains this one and I am not sure what is next, but the Gotham Stakes on March 1 makes sense unless he needs more time between starts.
Patch Adams and Gaming both disappointed with less than ideal trips in the Southwest. There is little room for error on the road to the Derby and both runners drop off my list. Gunmetal finished a respectable third in his second career start in the Swale Stakes, but he was the beaten favorite and more was expected, so he is off the list. San Vicente runner-up Romanesque also gets the heave-ho to make room for recent points race winners.
Kentucky Derby 2025 Points Race Recaps
Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn (1-25-25): The three favorites in this race had early trouble and uncomfortable trips. Patch Adams bobbled at the start at less than even money. Second choice Gaming was rank early, steadied hard, and dropped back and lost his best chance, and third betting choice Sandman broke in a tangle and spotted the field several lengths. With all of that going on at the back of the pack, Speed King flashed early speed from the outside post and got to the front under Rafael Bejarano. He was flanked by 83-1 maiden Bon Temps and 44-1 outsider Monet’s Magic. Last-out maiden winner American Promise came after the front runner but it was already game over. Speed King kicked away by 3 1/2 lengths in the stretch and held safe by a length over Sandman. The latter may have been best after a bad start. He made a nice wide run and was clearly second best, and it sure looks like he will excel at longer distances. He is the one I want out of this race. Tiztastic stalked the pace and edged Patch Adams for the show. The beaten favorite was supposed to attend the pace but that went out the window after a tardy beginning, He made a middle move and flattened out in an inconclusive effort. Monet’s Magic, American Promise, Publisher, Gaming, and Bon Temps also ran. American Promise was disqualified from 6th and placed 7th for interfering with maiden Publisher. Ron Moquett saddled the winner and he was exiting a runner-up finish in the Remington Springboard Mile. Fractions: 24.11, 47.82, 1:12.23, 1:39.15, 1:45.86.
Grade 3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park (2-1-25): Kinetic Control and Guns Loaded showed the way early and were nowhere at the end. Ferocious and He’s Not Joking stalked and weakened, and the late runners dominated. Tappan Street made the first run and he rallied wide and got clear in the stretch, but Burnham Street made the last run and scored by 1 3/4 lengths. Tappan Street was 9 1/4 lengths in front of closing show finisher Burning Glory. Ferocious weakened to fourth in a race he needed, and He’s Not Joking, Kinetic Control, and Guns Loaded trailed. Edgard Zayas rode the winner for Ian Wilkes. The top two finishers ran quality races and Tappan Street might have the most upside. Fractions: 23.42, 47.60, 1:11.69, 1:37.19, 1:43.60.
Grade 3 Robert Lewis at Santa Anita (2-1-25): Juvenile champion Citizen Bull made his much anticipated first start as a 3-year-old and he did not disappoint. He bobbled briefly but was still quick enough to make the lead under Martin Garcia. Clock Tower made an early move and came after the leader after four panels, but that bid fizzled out under Kent D. Citizen Bull kicked clear again and was clearly best by 3 3/4 lengths. My top choice Rodriguez stalked the pace, dropped back, and came again to finish a good 2nd. Madaket Road stalked from the inside post and finished 7 3/4 lengths in front of Clock Tower. Valentines Candy trailed throughout. Bob Baffert saddled the top three finishers. Fractions: 23.27, 47.06, 1:10.99, 1:23.52, 1:36.71.
Withers Stakes at Aqueduct (2-1-25): Uncle Jim was intent on the early lead and my top choice Mo Quality pressed from second. Captain Cook got the best trip chasing the two early runners from the outside, and he struck the front in the stretch, swatted away Surfside Moon, and scored by 2 1/4 lengths. Surfside Moon landed the place at 33-1 odds and was 6 1/2 lengths in front of late runner Omaha Omaha. The latter was miles clear of Mo Quality, Uncle Jim, Global Steve, and Corvus. Manny Franco rode the winner for Rick Dutrow and he might go next in the Wood Memorial (G2) on April 5. Fractions: 24.11, 49.13, 1:13.64, 1:39.22, 1:51.83.
Kentucky Derby 2025 Points Race Results
Iroquois (10-5-3-2-1) – Sept. 14 – Winner: Jonathan’s Way ($4.52)
Champagne (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 5 – Winner: Chancer McPatrick ($3.10)
American Pharoah (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 5 – Citizen Bull ($8.60)
Breeders’ Futurity (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 5 – East Avenue ($7.56)
Street Sense (10-5-3-2-1) – Oct. 27 – Winner: Sovereignty ($4.86)
BC Juvenile (30-15-9-6-3) – Nov. 1 – Winner: Citizen Bull ($33.80)
Ky Jockey Club (10-5-3-2-1) – Nov. 30 – Winner: First Resort ($14.66)
Remsen (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 7 – Winner: Poster ($11.60)
Springboard Mile (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 13 – Winner: Coal Battle ($15.80)
Los Al Futurity (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 14 – Winner: Journalism ($7.60)
Gun Runner (10-5-3-2-1) – Dec. 21 – Winner: Built ($9.80)
Jerome (10-5-3-2-1) – Jan. 4 – Winner: Cyclone State ($8.10)
Smarty Jones (10-5-3-2-1) – Jan. 4 – Winner: Coal Battle ($11.00)
Lecomte (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 18 – Winner: Disco Time ($5.80)
Southwest (20-10-6-4-2) – Jan. 25 – Winner: Speed King ($30.60)
Holy Bull (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 1 – Winner: Burnham Square ($10.60)
Robert Lewis (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 1 – Winner: Citizen Bull ($3.80)
Withers (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 1 – Winner: Captain Cook ($4.90)
Upcoming Derby Points Races Races:
Sam F. Davis (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 8
Risen Star (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 15
Sunland Derby (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 16
John Battaglia Memorial (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 22
Rebel (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 22
Fountain of Youth (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1
Gotham (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1
San Felipe (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1
Tampa Bay Derby (50-25-15-10-5) – March 8
Virginia Derby (50-25-15-10-5) – March 15
Jeff Ruby Steaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 22
Louisiana Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 22
Arkansas Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 29
Florida Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 29
Blue Grass (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5
SA Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5
UAE Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5
Wood Memorial (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5
Lexington (20-10-6-4-2) – April 12
Top 24 Kentucky Derby 2025 Points Leaders (thru 2-7-25)
Citizen Bull (60 points)
Speed King (25 points)
Coal Battle (20 points)
Burnham Square (20 points)
Disco Time (20 points)
Captain Cook (20 points)
Built (20 points)
Gaming (18 points)
Getaway Car (16 points)
Jonathan’s Way (15 points)
Tiztastic (14 points)
Sandman (14 points)
Ferocious (12 points)
Omaha Omaha (11 points)
Chancer McPatrick (10 points)
East Avenue (10 points)
First Resort (10 points)
Poster (10 points)
Journalism (10 points)
Sovereignty (10 points)
Cyclone State (10 points)
Surfside Moon (10 points)
Tappan Street (10 points)
Rodriguez (10 points)
Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven” Kentucky Derby 2025 Contenders (2-7-25)
1 – Sovereignty (Into Mischief – Crowned, by Bernardini) – Trainer: Bill Mott – Last Ranking (1)
Comments: Last year’s Grade 3 Street Sense winner is spending the winter in Florida and has worked three times since his lone win. He breezed 3f in 38.00 (11/30) at Payson Park Dec. 24. He was off the worktab for three weeks and breezed a half-mile in 49.20 (2/16) on Jan. 15, and duplicated his 49.20 (13/16) final time on Jan. 31. He needs to get on a more regular work schedule in the near future.
2 – Barnes (Into Mischief – All American Dream, by American Pharoah) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (3)
Comments: His stock continues to soar. He got a nice education run and narrowly won his career debut at Churchill, and was straight and strong in the San Vicente (G2) at seven furlongs second time out. He worked a half-mile in 48.60 (16/69) at Santa Anita on Jan. 20, and duplicated that half-mile time on Jan. 26 (4th best of 41). He went 5f in 59.80 (5/72) on Feb. 1. It looks like he will go in the he Rebel Stakes on Feb. 22 or the San Felipe a week later.
3 – East Avenue (Medaglia d’Oro – Dance Music, by Ghostzapper) – Trainer: Brendan Walsh – Last Ranking (4)
Comments: This one showed what he can do when he makes the early lead in his career debut and Breeders’ Futurity (G1). He looked like the main speed in the BC Juvenile (G1) but lost all chance after stumbling at the start. He has worked six times at Fair Grounds this year. He fired a 5f bullet in 59.40 (1/44) on Jan. 17 and went 5f in 1:01.40 (13.52) on Jan. 26. He breezed a half-mile in 48.80 (19/132) from the gate Feb. 1, and traveled 5f in 1:00.40 (8/40) on Feb. 8. He will likely begin his sophomore campaign in the Risen Star (G2) at 1 1/8 miles at Fair Grounds on Feb. 15.
4 – Journalism (Curlin – Mopotism, by Uncle Mo) – Trainer: Michael McCarthy – Last Ranking (5)
Comments: The more ground the better for this one, or at least it seems that way. He won both dirt routes including a visually impressive score in the Los Al Futurity (G2). He was targeting the Feb. 1 Robert Lewis (G3) but got sick and Michael McCarthy had to change plans. He has recovered from his small setback and returned to the worktab with a half-mile move in 49.80 (8/13) at Santa Anita on Jan. 23. His latest workout was a half-mile move in 48.80 (6.19) on Jan. 30. He might go next in the San Felipe (G2) on March 1.
5 – Citizen Bull (Into Mischief – No Joke, by Distorted Humor) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (6)
Comments: The 2-year-old champ cruised to easy gate-to-wire wins in the American Pharoah (G1) and BC Juvenile (G1). He worked seven times at Santa Anita after the BC, most recently logging a 5f bullet in 59.00 (1/107) on Jan. 25. He started his sophomore campaign in the Robert Lewis Stakes (G3) on Feb. 1, and he set the pace after a brief bobble and rolled to a comfortable win.
6 – Rodriguez (Authentic – Cayala, by Cherokee Run) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (8)
Comments: His two turn maiden win second time out at Santa Anita on Jan. 4 was outstanding. He could not keep pace with his fleet stablemate Citizen Bull in the Robert Lewis (G3) on Feb. 1, but he ran on for the place and continues to have a bright future. Now he has valuable stakes experience and should have gotten something out of his solid Lewis effort.
7 – Sandman (Tapit – Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor) – Trainer: Mark Casse – Last Ranking (unranked)
Comments: This $1.2 million colt is starting to figure things out. He beat Innovator and Aviator Gui in an extended sprint at Saratoga second time out. He was 5th of 9 in the Iroquois (G3) and 3rd of 9 in the Street Sense (G3). He looked good rallying for the win in a slow early/fast last optional-claiming dirt route at Oaklawn Dec. 13, and blew the break and ran on nicely for the place in the Southwest (G3). This one has plenty of stamina and is getting faster.
8 – Bullard (Gun Runner – Reve d’Amour, by Warrior’s Reward) – Trainer: Michael McCarthy – Last Ranking (9)
Comments: This one is a talented late running sprinter and we will find out if he can handle a route of ground in his next start. He was excellent in the Bob Hope (G3) and flat as a pancake in the San Vicente (G2). He worked a half-mile in 47.80 (5/61) at Santa Anita on Jan. 18, and came right back with a half-mile move in 48.60 (25.61) a week later. On Feb. 1, he traveled 5f in 1:00.20 (14/72). The Rebel Stakes (G2) at OP Feb. 22 might be next.
9 – Disco Time (Not This Time – Disco Chick, by Jump Start) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (unranked)
Comments: It is always nice to see these developing 3-year-olds overcome adversity. He pressed outside and graduated by 3 3/4 lengths as the favorite in his Churchill debut last November. He pressed again and edged away as the favorite in a one-mile optional-claiming affair under the Twin Spires Nov. 30. He stepped up, stretched out, and was the favorite again in the Lecomte (G3) Jan. 18. He did not have everything go right in the latter race. The track was sloppy, and he broke from post 10 and was wide early, sat back in 10th while in the clear, moved up outside, swung very wide in the lane, and closed with determination to edge Gun Runner Stakes hero Built by a neck. This one is now 3-for-3 and we still need to see more because the Lecomte was a slow race over a wet track. He will run next in the Risen Star (G2) on Feb. 15 or the Rebel (G2) a week later.
10 – Captain Cook (Practical Joke – Pow Wow Wow, by Indian Charlie) – Trainer: Rick Dutrow – Last Ranking (unranked)
Comments: He was 9-2 in his 6f bow at CD last fall and he broke 11th of 12 and ended up splitting the field. He was 1-2 in a MSW extended sprint in the slop Dec. 28 and he chased outside and rolled to a big win by more than 9 lengths. Rick Dutrow shows a profit with his first routers and has good stats with his non-graded starters and second after a layoff runners, and all of those angles came into play in the Withers at 1 1/8 miles on Feb. 1. Manny Franco had him in a comfortable outside stalking spot in the Withers and he pounced in the lane, turned away Surfside Moon, and won by 2 1/4 lengths as the favorite. Dam Pow Wow Wow was 3rd in the G2 Forward Gal in 2013, and third dam Bird Town won the G1 Kentucky Oaks and G1 Acorn in 2003.
11 – Burnham Square (Liam’s Map, Linda, by Scat Daddy) – Trainer: Ian Wilkes – Last Ranking (unranked)
Comments: This gelding is on the upswing for Ian Wilkes. He was 2nd in his Mcl-100k bow at 30-1 odds at 6f, and he stretched out and rallied to miss by less than a length when finishing 3rd of 11 at OP second time out. Monet’s Magic beat him at OP and he clicked right back Dec. 29 and was 5th in the G3 Southwest. This one added blinkers and showed improved tactical speed in a romping 9-length maiden win at Gulfstream on Dec. 28. He drew the outside post in the G3 Holy Bull Feb. 1, and he rallied from last of 7 and ran down Tappin Street in a 1 3/4-length victory at 4-1 odds. Dam Linda won the G2 Mrs. Revere in 2016. Second dam Beautiful Noise captured the G2 Santa Ana in 2001.
Next Nine: (12) Chancer McPatrick, (13) Tappan Street, (14) Patch Adams, (15) Hypnus, (16) Speed King, (17) Getaway Car, (18) Coal Battle, (19) Grande, (20) Rapture
