With the 151st Kentucky Derby fast approaching, the early odds are trickling in and Journalism is standing as the +250 favorite at Sportsbook, drawing Post No. 8 earlier this week. The colt may steadily hold the odds for now—but the race is wide open and anything can happen at Churchill Downs.
Know neigh-thing about horses or the Derby? Don’t worry—Nick’s got you covered with his 2025 Kentucky Derby picks! His longshot +2500 bet on Mystik Dan galloped to victory last year!
2025 Kentucky Derby Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Post #8: Journalism | +250 |
| Post #18: Sovereignty | +500 |
| Post #17: Sandman | +800 |
| Post #7: Luxor Cafe | +800 |
| Post #21: Baeza | +1100 |
| Post #9: Burham Square | +1100 |
| Post #1: Citizen Bull | +1200 |
| Post #12: East Avenue | +1800 |
| Post #14: Tiztastic | +2000 |
| Post #3: Final Gambit | +2000 |
| Post #16: Coal Battle | +2000 |
| Post #5: American Promise | +2500 |
| Post #13: Publisher | +2800 |
| Post #6: Admire Daytona | +3000 |
| Post #2: Neoequos | +3300 |
| Post #20: Owen Almighty | +4000 |
| Post #15: Render Judgement | +4000 |
| Post #19: Chunk Of Gold | +4000 |
| Post #11: Flying Mohawk | +4000 |
Odds as of May 2 at Sportsbook
journalism favored to win kentucky derby
Journalism has become the horse to beat at the upcoming Run for the Roses after a strong victory in the Santa Anita Derby, marking his fourth consecutive win.
Trainer Michael McCarthy returns to Churchill Downs after finishing ninth last year in his debut with Endlessly. This time, he's bringing in the favorite. Jockey Umberto Rispoli will make his third Derby appearance, looking to improve on past finishes of 14th (2021) and ninth (2024).
Many credit the Thoroughbred's mind as its greatest tool by referencing him as calm, cool and collected. Overcoming his mid-race struggles at the Santa Anita Derby most recently proving his grit and composure on the track.
Kentucky Derby Post Positions History
Here’s a look at how the various Kentucky Derby post positions have fared through history. Holding the third-best odds at +800, Sandman faces the curse of Post No. 17. Journalism will start from Post No. 8, where there's been the second-most victors in Kentucky Derby history.
| Post Position | Number Of Kentucky Derby Wins | Last Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Ferdinand (1986) |
| 2 | 7 | Affirmed (1978) |
| 3 | 6 | Mystik Dan (2024) |
| 4 | 5 | Super Saver (2010) |
| 5 | 10 | Always Dreaming (2017) |
| 6 | 2 | Sea Hero (1993) |
| 7 | 7 | Justify (2018) |
| 8 | 9 | Mage (2023) |
| 9 | 4 | Riva Ridge (1972) |
| 10 | 9 | Giacomo (2005) |
| 11 | 2 | Winning Colors (1988) |
| 12 | 3 | Canonero II (1971) |
| 13 | 5 | Nyquist (2016) |
| 14 | 2 | Carry Back (1961) |
| 15 | 6 | Authentic (2020) |
| 16 | 4 | Animal Kingdom (2011) |
| 17 | 0 | - |
| 18 | 2 | Country House (2019) |
| 19 | 1 | I'll Have Another (2012) |
| 20 | 1 | Rich Strike (2022) |
Randomly assigned, there's context and history found in the stalls of each post. Currently, Post No. 5 has bred the most success, holding 10 winners.
While common sense would suggest the inside of Post No. 1 be an advantage, running along the rail— it isn't. Only eight Kentucky Derby champions stormed out of the post with the most recent being way back in 1986. It is said to be hard to break away from the pack when being up against the rail.
Through 150 races, just one post has never delivered a winner—Post No. 17.
Past Kentucky Derby Winners
If you’re looking for what the Kentucky Derby winning times have been in recent years, we have them listed below along with each of the winning horses -- a handy tool when selecting a Kentucky Derby prop bet.
| Year | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Mystik Dan | 2:03.34 |
| 2023 | Mage | 2:01:57 |
| 2022 | Rich Strike | 2:02:61 |
| 2021 | Mandaloun | 2:01.02 |
| 2020 | Authentic | 2:00.61 |
| 2019 | Country House | 2:03.98 |
| 2018 | Justify | 2:04.20 |
| 2017 | Always Dreaming | 2:03.59 |
| 2016 | Nyquist | 2:01.31 |
| 2015 | American Pharoah | 2:03.02 |
| 2014 | California Chrome | 2:03.66 |
| 2013 | Orb | 2:02.89 |
