As the Run for the Roses approaches, all eyes turn to Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby and one of the most iconic racetracks in the World.
The leaderboard is set for the start of the 2025 Kentucky Derby, and as a Final update, we bring you the names of the 22 horses who will be competing in this prestigious event.
Just as a reminder, we must point out that the Kentucky Derby is known as one of the toughest races in horseracing. Being an American Grade I stakes Race the breeds are limited to only three-year-old Thoroughbreds.
There are two nicknames by which the Kentucky Derby is known. The first is “The Run for the Roses” because the winning horse is usually draped in a blanket of roses, and due to its regular duration of around two minutes of racing, the second nickname this Race has is “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”
We couldn’t be more eager to go and get to our seats for this incredible event, but it is time to take a look at the final updates for the Leaderboard ranking in the Race to prepare for the upcoming event.
Kentucky Derby: Leaderboard Ranks
| 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 |
| East Avenue 60 points |
| Publisher 60 points |
| American Promise 55 points |
| River Thames 50 points |
| Flying Mohawk 50 points |
| Grande 50 points |
| Madaket Road 46 points |
| Built 45 points |
| Neoequos 40 points |
| Render Judgment 39 points |
| Baeza 37.5 points |
| Admire Daaytona [JPN] – 100 points |
| Luxor Cafe – 70 points |
We got 22 horses from the American Leaderboard, one from the European-Middle East Board, and one from the Japan Board.
Race Track and Early Pick
The racetrack is also known for its fast dirt surface and historic twin spires. This track typically favors tactical speed and positioning—horses that break well and settle near the front often have the upper hand.
The one-and-a-one-quarter distance can be a tough test for three-year-olds, especially those stretching out for the first time. The Wheater condition can also play a key role: a dry, fast track could benefit front-runners, while a sloppy surface tends to level the field and open the door for late closers.
Sovereignty, trained by William I. Mott, has emerged as the early favorite. The 3-year-old colt has strong speed figures and a versatile running style and is expected to attract plenty of betting action. Still, with a 20-horse field and the chaos that comes with it, anything can happen.
We have wrapped up the season for the Kentucky Derby, and we can’t wait for the Race to begin on the first Saturday of May. As always, post-position draw and final workouts will be critical in shaping the odds and betting value leading up to race day.
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