By Steve Sherack
Journalism (Curlin) was tabbed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite after drawing in a good spot in post position eight for next Saturday's 151st running of the GI Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Regular rider Umberto Rispoli will be at the controls.
The GI Santa Anita Derby winner, an $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling graduate, is campaigned in partnership by Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5, Robert LaPenta and Lessees Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor. He is trained by Michael McCarthy.
“No complaints,” McCarthy said at the draw. “With a horse like him, he gives you a lot of confidence. I really wouldn't have mattered where he had drawn.”
Godolphin homebred Sovereignty (Into Mischief), runner-up in the GI Curlin Florida Derby for Hall of Famer Bill Mott, will exit from post 18. He is the second-choice on the morning-line at 5-1.
Sandman (Tapit) drew one to the inside of that rival and is the third-choice on the morning-line at 6-1. The GI Arkansas Derby winner and $1.2-million OBS March breezer is owned in partnership by D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables and is trained by Mark Casse.
The speedy Bob Baffert-trained duo of champion 2-year-old colt Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) and 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) both drew inside posts. Citizen Bull will exit from the rail while GII Wood Memorial S. winner Rodriguez will break from post four.
American Pharoah (Luxor Cafe & Publisher), Curlin (Grande & Journalism) and Into Mischief (Citizen Bull & Sovereignty) will each be represented by two runners.
Coady Media
From the rail out, the entire 20-horse field, including morning-line odds, for the Kentucky Derby (Race 12, post time 6:57 p.m.):
1-Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) (20-1), 2-Neoequos (Neolithic) (30-1), 3-Final Gambit (Not This Time) (30-1), 4-Rodriguez (Authentic) (12-1), 5-American Promise (Justify) (30-1), 6-Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) (30-1), 7-Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah) (15-1), 8-Journalism (Curlin) (3-1), 9-Burnham Square (Liam's Map) (12-1), 10-Grande (Curlin) (20-1), 11-Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}) (30-1), 12-East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) (20-1), 13-Publisher (American Pharoah) (20-1), 14-Tiztastic (Tiz the Law) (20-1), 15-Render Judgment (Blame) (30-1), 16-Coal Battle (Coal Front) (30-1), 17-Sandman (Tapit) (6-1), 18-Sovereignty (Into Mischief) (5-1), 19-Chunk of Gold (Preservationist) (30-1), 20-Owen Almighty (Speightstown) (30-1), AE-Baeza (McKinzie).
Post Positions for the 151st Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. pic.twitter.com/CGyJn9rmy2
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 26, 2025
Unbeaten Good Cheer Favored at 6-5 for Kentucky Oaks
Unbeaten Godolphin homebred Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro), meanwhile, drew post 11 and has been installed as the 6-5 morning-line favorite in a full, 14-horse field for next Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks. Luis Saez will ride.
The last-out GII Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks heroine is trained by Brad Cox, who has won the Kentucky Oaks two previous times with Monomoy Girl (2018) and Shedaresthedevil (2020).
“She's been incredibly impressive this year and we're expecting a big effort next week,” Cox said.
From the rail out, the entire 14-horse field, including morning-line odds, for the Kentucky Oaks (Race 11, post time 5:51 p.m.):
1-Early On (Union Rags) (30-1), 2-Simply Joking (Practical Joke) (30-1), 3-Fondly (Upstart) (30-1), 4-Drexel Hill (Bolt d'Oro) (30-1), 5-Quickick (McKinzie) (30-1), 6-Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) (10-1), 7-La Cara (Street Sense) (6-1), 8-Five G (Vekoma) (12-1), 9-Tenma (Nyquist) (12-1), 10-Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy) (12-1), 11-Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) (6-5), 12-Anna's Promise (Promises Fulfilled) (30-1), 13-Bless The Broken (Laoban) (30-1), 14-Quietside (Malibu Moon) (8-1).
Post Positions for the 151st Longines Kentucky Oaks. pic.twitter.com/K38MylPbn0
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 27, 2025
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
