Expert Picks for the 2025 Kentucky Derby: Insights on Notable Horses
A distinguished horse racing authority shares insights on the top contenders for the 2025 Kentucky Derby, highlighting horses like Journalism, Sandman, and Rodriguez.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has made his return after a three-year suspension from Churchill Downs. For the upcoming Kentucky Derby, he will have two horses, including Rodriguez, who is currently at 12-1 odds after winning the Wood Memorial. The other horse is Citizen Bull, rated at 20-1. Baffert’s suspension followed a positive test for Medina Spirit, the 2021 Derby winner, due to an prohibited medication on race day. The leading contenders for the 2025 Kentucky Derby include Journalism at 3-1, Sovereignty at 5-1, and Sandman at 6-1.
Which horses should you consider for your Derby bets? Before making any decisions, check out the expert predictions and future bets from SportsLine’s Jody Demling, who has been incredibly successful with this race over the years.
Demling has successfully predicted the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double 11 times out of the last 16 years. He also called the Belmont Stakes winner four times in the last seven years and identified 10 Preakness winners in the last 20 races.
With 2025 Kentucky Derby post positions announced and the odds set, Demling is about to share his betting picks and predictions at SportsLine. Read more to discover who he believes will take the win.
Top 2025 Kentucky Derby Predictions and Expert Analysis
Demling is particularly down on Rodriguez (12-1), predicting that he won’t finish in the top 10. Rodriguez notably secured a win at the Wood Memorial but faced setbacks with a third-place finish at the San Felipe Stakes. Demling favors nine other horses above him, suggesting that Rodriguez is one to avoid when betting.
He speaks highly of Sandman (6-1), noting he recently won the Arkansas Derby and has consistently performed at a high level in the past eight races.
Demling’s predicted winner is Journalism, the 3-1 frontrunner, who has won four out of five career races and is coming off a Santa Anita Derby victory. His pedigree includes being sired by Curlin, the winner of the 2007 Preakness Stakes.
How to Make Your 2025 Kentucky Derby Picks Demling is also highlighting an underdog that’s gathering a lot of interest. To learn about this horse and see Demling’s entire leaderboard projection for this year’s Derby, visit SportsLine.
Current Odds for the 2025 Kentucky Derby
| Post | Horse | Odds | Projection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Citizen Bull | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 2 | Neoequos | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 3 | Final Gambit | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 4 | Rodriguez | 12-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 5 | American Promise | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 6 | Admire Daytona | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 7 | Luxor Cafe | 15-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 8 | Journalism | 3-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 9 | Burnham Square | 12-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 10 | Grande | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 11 | Flying Mohawk | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 12 | East Avenue | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 13 | Publisher | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 14 | Tiztastic | 20-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 15 | Render Judgement | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 16 | Coal Battle | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 17 | Sandman | 6-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 18 | Sovereignty | 5-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 19 | Chunk of Gold | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
| 20 | Owen Almighty | 30-1 | SEE PICKS |
