2025 Kentucky Derby: Top 5 contenders after Florida Derby and Arkansas Derby
- Sandman is currently the top Kentucky Derby contender with 119 points.
- The last prep race in the United States is the Lexington Stakes on April 12.
Two more Kentucky Derby prep races, the Florida Derby and Arkansas Derby, are off the board as the 151st Kentucky Derby approaches May 3.
The Kentucky Derby features the top 20 point-earners on the leaderboard. Japan and Europe-Middle East have their own "Road to the Kentucky Derby," which allows one horse from each region to secure a spot in the Run for the Roses.
The last prep race in the United States is the Lexington Stakes on April 12.
Here are the top 5 Kentucky Derby contenders as of March 31:
Five contenders for 151st Kentucky Derby
Sandman
- Owner: D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables
- Trainer: Mark Casse
- Jockey: Jose Ortiz
- Road to Derby points: 129
- Prep race results: Arkansas Derby (1st), Southwest Stakes (2nd), Rebel Stakes (3rd), 2024 Street Sense (3rd) and Iroquois Stakes (5th)
- Career earnings: $1,254,595
Tiztastic
- Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Mrs. John (Susan) Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith
- Trainer: Steve Asmussen
- Jockey: Joel Rosario
- Road to Derby points: 119
- Prep race results: Louisiana Derby (1st), 2024 Street Sense Stakes (2nd), Southwest Stakes (3rd), 2024 Kentucky Jockey Club (3rd) and Rebel Stakes (5th)
- Career earnings: $1,549,800
Sovereignty
- Owner: Godolphin, LLC
- Trainer: William Mott
- Jockey: Manuel Franco
- Road to Derby points: 110
- Prep race results: Fountain of Youth (1st), 2024 Street Sense Stakes (1st) and Florida Derby (2nd)
- Career earnings: $572,800
Tappan Street
- Owner: WinStar Farm LLC, CHC, Inc. and Cold Press Racing
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Jockey: Luis Saez
- Road to Derby points: 110
- Prep race results: Florida Derby (1st) and Holy Bull Stakes (2nd)
- Career earnings: $649,600
Final Gambit
- Owner: Juddmonte
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Jockey: Luan Machado
- Road to Derby points: 100
- Prep race results: Jeff Ruby (1st)
- Career earnings: $520,639
How to watch 2025 Kentucky Derby
Last May, NBC Sports announced a partnership with Churchill Downs to present the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032.
The extension includes multiplatform rights to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Derby and Oaks Day programming, which will be presented on NBC, Peacock, USA Network and additional NBCU platforms.
You can stream the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Fubo and Peacock.
What time is the Kentucky Derby?
While not yet official, the post time for the 151st Kentucky Derby will be about 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.
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