We are less than two weeks away from Kentucky Derby 2025 and the field is coming into clear focus. In this report, I will check in on the latest Derby news, update the Derby points standings, and share my latest exceptional 11 Derby contenders.
River Thames accumulated 50 Derby points and that was more than enough to compete on the first Saturday in May, but his connections decided to give him more time between starts and he is now targeting the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on Saturday, May 17.
Owen Almighty finished up the track in the Blue Grass (G1) and it was expected that he would target the Pat Day Mile due to distance limitations, but his connections called an audible and he is back in the Derby picture.
Madaket Road is not longer under consideration for the Derby. He is targeting the Pat Day Mile, and his trainer Bob Baffert said that’s been the goal all along. He worked 5f in 1:00.80 (13/32) at SA on April 18.
Baeza, currently 23rd on the points list and in need of a few defections to make the Derby field, worked seven panels in 1:28.00 (3/4) at Santa Anita on April 20. Turf stakes winner Atitlan was his workmate and Baeza covered his final furlong in 11.80.
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)
Sam F. Davis (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 8 – Winner: John Hancock ($7.00)
Risen Star (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 15 – Winner: Magnitude ($88.40)
Sunland Derby (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 16 – Winner: Getaway Car ($4.40)
John Battaglia Memorial (20-10-6-4-2) – Feb. 22 – Winner: California Burrito ($9.42)
Rebel (50-25-15-10-5) – Feb. 23 – Winner: Coal Battle ($25.80)
Fountain of Youth (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1 – Winner: Sovereignty ($8.40)
Gotham (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1 – Winner: Flood Zone ($37.60)
San Felipe (50-25-15-10-5) – March 1 – Winner: Journalism ($8.20)
Tampa Bay Derby (50-25-15-10-5) – March 8 – Winner: Owen Almighty ($7.80)
Virginia Derby (50-25-15-10-5) – March 15 – Winner: American Promise ($16.80)
Jeff Ruby Steaks (100-50-25-15-10) – March 22 – Winner: Final Gambit ($32.14)
Louisiana Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 22 – Winner: Tiztastic ($17.00)
Arkansas Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 29 – Winner: Sandman ($9.40)
Florida Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – March 29 – Winner: Tappan Street ($6.80)
SA Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5 – Winner: Journalism ($4.00)
UAE Derby (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5 – Winner: Admire Daytona ($22.20)
Wood Memorial (100-50-25-15-10) – April 5 – Winner: Rodriguez ($9.30)
Blue Grass (100-50-25-15-10) – April 8 – Winner: Burnham Square ($10.48)
Lexington (20-10-6-4-2) – April 12 – Winner: Gosger ($10.60)
Top Kentucky Derby 2025 Points Leaders (thru 4-20-25)
European – Middle East – Admire Daytona
Japan – Luxor Cafe
Burnham Square (130 points)
Sandman (129 points)
Journalism (122.5 points)
Rodriguez (121.25 points)
Tiztastic (119 points)
Tappan Street (110 points)
Sovereignty (110 points)
Final Gambit (100 points)
Coal Battle (95 points)
Chunk of Gold (75 points)
Citizen Bull (71.25 points)
Owen Almighty (65 points)
East Avenue (60 points)
Publisher (60 points)
American Promise (55 points)
Flying Mohawk (50 points)
Grande (50 points)
Built (45 Points)
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Neoequos (40 points)
Render Judgment (39 points)
Baeza (37.5 points)
California Burrito (20 points)
Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven” Kentucky Derby 2025 Contenders (4-20-25)
1 – Sovereignty (Into Mischief – Crowned, by Bernardini) – Trainer: Bill Mott – Last Ranking (1)
Comments: Bill Mott’s colt might be sitting on a new top after winning the FOY and landing the pace from the outside post in the Florida Derby. He breezed 5f in 1:00.60 (17/56) at CD on April 19 (final 1/4 in 23 and change), and he galloped out 6f in 1:13 1/5. He is not usually a strong workhorse but did have a nice move on Saturday. He will reconnect with his winning rider Junior Alvarado on the first Saturday in May.
2 – Journalism (Curlin – Mopotism, by Uncle Mo) – Trainer: Michael McCarthy – Last Ranking (2)
Comments: The 3-time graded route winner worked a half-mile in 47.00 (2/83) at Santa Anita Park on April 19. This was his first drill since his victory in the SA Derby (G1), and the early Kentucky Derby favorite galloped out an additional furlong in 11.80. He worked inside of his workmate Feel the Magic, and the early Derby favorite was always traveling smoothly under his regular rider Umberto Rispoli. A couple of horses started their work just after this move began. Journalism did not take off after them. He kept to his task, handled kickback, galloped out with energy, and caught up with and passed those other two workers. He is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs on April 21 and will have his final Derby work under the Twin Spires.
3 – Tappan Street (Into Mischief – Virginia Key, Distorted Humor) – Trainer: Brad Cox – Last Ranking (3)
Comments: The Florida Derby hero breezed 5f in 1:01.40 (2/12) at Payson Park on April 18, and it was a good looking company move (with Rapture). He started out slow and ran his final half-mile in 48.2. He finished up in 23.4 and was out 6f in 1:14 4/5 and 7f in 1:28 3/5. Payson Park is a slower surface and this was a nice move over that training surface. The Kentucky Derby will be his fourth lifetime start and he seems to be developing rapidly. Derby rider: Luis Saez.
4 – Sandman (Tapit – Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor) – Trainer: Mark Casse – Last Ranking (4)
Comments: He got a dream setup in the Arkansas Derby and beat maiden Publisher despite an erratic stretch run, He worked a half-mile in 49.60 (18/23) at CD on April 15. He needs pace help and a clean closing trip on the first Saturday in May. Derby rider: Jose Ortiz.
5 – Burnham Square (Liam’s Map, Linda, by Scat Daddy) – Trainer: Ian Wilkes – Last Ranking (5)
Comments: The late running Blue Grass winner breezed four panels in 49.40 (51/97) at CD on April 19. It was a solo move and he was rank early. He galloped out 5f in 1:02 3/5 and 6f in 1:15 3/5. Derby rider: Brian Hernandez, Jr.
6 – Rodriguez (Authentic – Cayala, by Cherokee Run) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (6)
Comments: Bob Baffert’s front running Wood Memorial winner worked a solo 5f in 1:00.40 (13/74) at Santa Anita Park on April 20. He was full of energy on the gallop out and seems to be maintaining sharp form. Derby rider: Mike Smith.
7 – Coal Battle (Coal Front – Wolfblade, by Midshipman) – Trainer: Lonnie Briley – Last Ranking (7)
Comments: The 3-time Kentucky Derby points race winner exits a show finish in the Arkansas Derby. He went 5f in 1:01.20 (14/21) at CD on April 15. Derby rider: Juan Vargas.
8 – Tiztastic (Tiz the Law – Keesha, by Tapit) – Trainer: Steve Asmussen – Last Ranking (8)
Comments: He worked in company with Publisher on April 19 and they went 5f in 59.60 (4/56) at CD. The LA Derby winner was outworked by maiden Publisher. Derby rider: Joel Rosario.
9 – Grande (Curlin – Journey Home, by War Front) – Trainer: Todd Pletcher – Last Ranking (9)
Comments: He raced wide and was second best behind inside speed Rodriguez in the Wood Memorial. Todd Pletcher’s unraced 2-year-old will have one pre-Derby work at Keeneland. Derby rider: John Velazquez.
10 – East Avenue (Medaglia d’Oro – Dance Music, by Ghostzapper) – Last Ranking (10)
Comments: He set the pace and missed by a nose in the Blue Grass. The good work horse went a half-mile in 47.60 (5/97) at CD on April 19, and it was a good work in company. He easily bested his workmate and galloped out 5f in 1:00 4/5 and 6f in 1:14 3/5. Derby rider: Manny Franco.
11 – Citizen Bull (Into Mischief – No Joke, by Distorted Humor) – Trainer: Bob Baffert – Last Ranking (11)
Comments: Blinkers came off and they gave the 2-year-old champ a target in his most recent work on April 18. He spotted his workmate Lionel 5 lengths, caught that one and went right on by (6f bullet in 1:11.80). Lionel’s official clocking was 5f in 1:00 flat. This one worked an additional furlong and was asked for energy on the gallop out. He will not wear blinkers in the Derby. Does he really want to go a mile and a quarter? He wired the field in three straight stakes races at 1 1/16 miles, and chased and faded in the SA Derby at a mile and an eighth. Derby rider: Martin Garcia.
Next Nine (Latest workouts):
(12) Chunk of Gold – 4f in 49.40 (33/85) at TP on April 19. Derby rider: Jarerth Loveberry.
(13) Final Gambit – 5f in 1:00.80 (24/56) at CD on April 19. Galloped out 6f in 1:14.72. This was his third work at CD. Worked in company. 6f in 1:14 3/5. Derby rider: Luan Machado.
(14) Publisher – 5f in 59.60 (4/56) at CD on April 19. In company with Tiztastic. This one showed the way in this work and was moving better than Tiztastic. Out 6f in 1:12 4/5. Derby rider: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
(15) Luxor Cafe – The Japanese shipper is scheduled to arrive at CD on April 23. Derby rider: Joao Moreira.
(16) American Promise – 7f from the gate in 1:25.20 at OP on April 18. He went in company with Bon Temps. The fractions were 22, 45.80, 57.80, and 1:11. Bon Temps was credited with a 5f move in 59.60. Derby rider: Nik Juarez.
(17) Flying Mohawk – 5f in 1:00 (11/56) at CD on April 19. In company with Honor Marie. 6f in 1:13 3/5. Derby rider: Joseph Ramos.
(18) Admire Daytona – Galloped at CD on Saturday, a walk day is scheduled on Sunday, and he might work April 22. Derby rider: Christophe Lemaire.
(19) Owen Almighty – Galloped a mile and a half on Saturday. Derby rider: Javier Castellano.
(20) Built – 4f in 49.80 (19/23) at CD on April 15. He is also possible for the Pat Day Mile, and a final decision regarding his Derby status will be made after his next workout.
Derby also-eligibles: Neoequos, Render Judgment, Baeza, California Burrito.
