Saturday one of America’s greatest sports treasures will happen. The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby will take place at the historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The coveted first jewel in the chase for the Triple Crown.

Every year on the first Saturday in May, the best 3-year old horses in horse racing compete in the Run for the Roses.

Here are the horses and their odds (as of the time of writing this) for this year’s Kentucky Derby:

The #8 horse, Journalism comes into this race as the odds on favorite, having won his last four races including his most recent race at the 2025 Santa Anita Derby.

Journalism comes into this race trying to buck a trend of six-straight post-time favorites not winning the Kentucky Derby. In fact, the last four Kentucky Derby winners were double-digit odds: Mandaloun (26/1 in 2021), Rich Strike (80/1 in 2022), Mage (15/1 in 2023) and Mystik Dan (18/1 in 2024).

Don’t let recent history keep Journalism out of your bets though. This is a great horse. It got a favorable draw in the 8 post, which has an above-average winning rate of 9.6% in the Derby. The last horse to win from the 8 post was Mage back in 2023.

Jockey Umberto Rispoli has plenty of options coming from post 8 in the middle of field. Journalism has great speed, but even better stamina and he also has a great late kick.

While I know it’s not fun to pick the favorite, this horse is just too good to overlook. I will bet him straight and I think you should throw Journalism in some of your box bets as well.

Here are four other horses outside of the favorite Journalism that I love to card at the Derby:

Sovereignty 5/1

Sovereignty is currently the second-favorite to win the Kentucky Derby at 5/1. He has two first-place finishes in his last 4 starts, including one at the 2024 Street Sense Stakes, which took place at Churchill Downs last October. Most recently he is coming off of a second-place finish at the Florida Derby.

Sovereignty has pretty good speed, but his biggest strength is that he is a deep closer. If the race comes down to the wire, I expect to see this horse in the mix.

Sandman 6/1

As the old saying goes, “If there is a gray horse, you always bet on the gray horse.” Well this year there are three grays running in the Kentucky Derby. My favorite of the three is Sandman.

Sandman does have some historical odds going against him. Only 8 gray horses have ever won the Kentucky Derby, the last being Giacomo back in 2005.

Sandman is also trying to become the first horse to ever win the Kentucky Derby from post 17, which is crazy. I know you may be thinking, well I don’t like that. Normally I wouldn’t either, but with this horse I’m taking the George Costanza opposite approach.

Sandman has great tactical speed. He has two first-place finishes in his last four races, including one in his last race at the 2025 Arkansas Derby.

Sandman also has a very distinct bloodline. His father is the legendary Tapit, who’s offspring have done nothing but win. Since 2014 Tapit’s sons have won the Belmont Stakes four times. The one race his sons haven’t won…..the Kentucky Derby. Once again..

Baeza 12/1

Baeza was added to the field after the late scratch of Bob Baffert’s horse, Rodriguez on Thursday. Baeza has been on the grounds training at Churchill Downs since last week in hopes of getting in due to an injury.

Baeza is trained by John Shirreffs, who was the trainer of Giacomo, who I mentioned earlier. Giacomo won the 2005 Kentucky Derby despite being 50/1 odds.

Baeza has one first-place finish and two second-place finishes in his last four starts, including a runner-up performance at the Santa Anita Derby last month where he was just 3/4 length back of Journalism. Baeza actually led down the stretch before Journalism ran him down.

Baeza is a green horse and has had a good week of preparation in hopes of getting into the Derby. He has the speed and I think he can really shake things up if they can maneuver inside from post 20.

Burnham Square 12/1

Burnham Square got a very good draw in the number 9 post. He has three first-place finishes in his last four races, including one at the Blue Grass Stakes, where he came from behind to win. This is a horse that isn’t bothered by chaos, which is exactly what the Kentucky Derby is.

Burnham Square also has a home-track advantage seeing as how he trains at Churchill Downs.

I think he will start out slower, but he has great finishing speed. He is also peaking at the right time. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Burnham Square win/place/show in this race.

I absolutely LOVE the Kentucky Derby. It is one of my favorite sports events of the year. I cannot wait to find out who will be crowned the winner this year.

*If you are betting on the Kentucky Derby PLEASE gamble responsibly*

The post time for the 115th running of the Kentucky Derby will be at 6:57 p.m. E.T. on Sunday, May 3.