(Published 1st May) The current frontrunner for the 2025 Kentucky Derby is Journalism, boasting an impressive 4 wins out of 5 starts with odds at +350. He’s caught the eye of many bettors, but long shots like Tappan Street and Publisher show potential with their closing speed.

In this article we’ll take a closer look at who’s really in the running for top honors – and the strategies you can employ to make your betting more efficient for the “Run for the Roses.”

Key Takeaways

• Journalism holds strong betting favoritism with improved 3-1 odds after a recent Santa Anita Derby victory,

• Long shots like Tappan Street and Publisher could surprise due to speed and closing power capabilities,

• Sovereignty stands as a solid contender at 8-1 but hasn’t had recent workouts,

• Past Santa Anita winners often perform well, with odds typically under 5-1,

• Diversifying bets and adopting flexible strategies enhance potential returns, considering possible upsets.

Top Betting Contenders

In the exciting world of horse racing, the Kentucky Derby is where top contenders shine on a global stage, and this year, you’ve got some clear favorites to watch. Leading the pack is Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by jockey Umberto Rispoli. With odds at +350, and an impressive record of 4 wins from 5 starts, this horse is a strong contender. The Kentucky Derby Fanduel odds showcase a competitive field, and the race, scheduled for May 3, 2025, is an eagerly anticipated event where bettors analyze both favorites and longshots to maximize their winnings.

Behind Journalism, Sovereignty offers promising odds of +750, while Rodriguez follows at +1100. Sandman and Burnham Square stand at +1200 and +1300, respectively. Each contender is poised for victory, but Journalism’s speed figures and lavish praise by pundits make it a standout.

Long Shot Considerations

While favorites often dominate the conversation, savvy bettors know the thrill and value long shots bring to the Kentucky Derby.

Recent triumphs by horses like Rich Strike at 80-1 have served to remind bettors of underdog potential. The fast pace and large field make this race ripe for upsets. Consider contenders like Tappan Street, with impressive closing power, or Publisher, who’s gaining attention with rising speed ratings.

With the event taking place on the dirt track of Churchill Downs, where unpredictability reigns supreme, these underdogs could shine. Luxor Cafe and Citizen Bull could surprise, just as Donerail and Mine That Bird have in the past. These long shots offer significant betting value, with their odds perched at 10-1 and higher, promising lucrative returns.

Betting Strategies

There are many betting strategies that can enhance your Kentucky Derby experience and boost potential winnings. Start by mastering the basics: Win (betting on the horse to finish first), Place (first or second), and Show (first, second, or third) bets, which are simple and straightforward.

To add more excitement and higher payout potential, try Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta bets. These require predicting the exact order of the top two, three, or four finishers, respectively, offering bigger rewards for increased difficulty.

Always consider the risk and reward of each bet to align your wagers with your race predictions. Take advantage of early Kentucky Derby odds to lock in better value, and manage your bankroll wisely to stay in the game longer.

Diversify your bets across different platforms and stay flexible, adapting your strategy as race conditions and odds change to seize the best opportunities.

Key Insights and Trends

You’ll notice several intriguing trends shaping this year’s Kentucky Derby lineup. Journalism has surged to 3-1 odds after a remarkable Santa Anita Derby victory and consistently strong Equibase Speed Figures.

However, keep an eye on Rodriguez, now a 10-1 contender, capitalizing on his Wood Memorial success.

Sovereignty also stands strong at 8-1, emphasizing past performances despite limited recent workouts. Emerging dark horses like Burnham Square are drawing attention, hinting at potential surprises.

Santa Anita winners’ sub-5/1 odds remain a key trend, reinforcing their significance in Derby predictions. Historical insights stress that late-campaign improvements often drive odds and potential upset stories in Derby lore.

Final Stretch: Your Edge at the Finish Line

We started this journey noting that Journalism has built a following based on leading a headline grabbing 4 wins in 5 starts, and is backed by strong odds and sharper strategy. But now you’ve seen how even long shots like Tappan Street and Publisher, with their closing speed and increasing buzz, could redefine expectations. From proven track records and longshots to adaptive betting strategies, the road to Churchill Downs is paved with opportunity.

Whether you lean into the favorites or take a daring punt on a sleeper, the 2025 Kentucky Derby rewards insight and instinct alike. Stay sharp, keep tabs on late developments, and trust the process. Because in a race where every second counts, the edge goes to those who look beyond the obvious.

In short, the ‘viaduct side’ is a feature of Chester Racecourse in Cheshire, North West England. Established in 1539, Chester has the distinction of being the oldest racecourse still in operation anywhere in the world and its sharp, left-handed circuit, which is just over a mile in circumference, is the smallest in Britain. The racecourse site occupies 65 acres on the northern bank of the River Dee and flanks the Chester City Walls along the eastern edge.

The northwestern side of the course, though, is dominated by a striking feat of Victorian engineering, in the form of the Roodee Viaduct. The viaduct, which measures 108 feet in length, was built, along with the nearby Dee Bridge, in the middle of the nineteenth century to carry the Chester-Holyhead railway line across the River Dee. The original, cast iron Dee Bridge was opened for local traffic in 1846, but the following May was the site of the Dee Bridge disaster, when a locomotive plunged into the river, resulting in the death of five people and serious injury to nine more.

The Dee Bridge was subsequently rebuilt using wrought iron lattice girders, but the Roodee Viaduct has stood the test of time. Of course, Chester Racecourse is on the turn almost throughout, but the viaduct runs parallel to the course from the chute that marks the 7 furlongs and 122 yards start to the 6 furlong and 18 yards start, at which point the course turns eastward to run along the banks of the River Dee. Of course, from a practical point of view, the Roodee Viaduct and the refurbished Dee Bridge link Chester Racecourse with Curzon Park, a residential suburb on the southerm banks of the Dee. Nevertheless, the Roodee Viaduct remains an instantly recognisable landmark in the Roodee landscape.

The organisation that became the Horserace Totalisor Board, a.k.a. the Tote, was originally created, as the Racehorse Betting Control Board, by then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Winston Churchill, in 1928. His intention was to provide an alternative to illegal off-course betting and to ensure that money from betting was put back into horse racing. The responsibility for the latter passed to the Horserace Betting Levy Board, established by the Betting Levy Act 1961 to compensate the sport for any losses following the legalisation of off-course betting shops, leading to the name change.

Nevertheless, the Tote remained a state-owned, state-controlled organisation until July 2011, when, under the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government, it was sold, along with its betting shop estate, to Betfred, the bookmaking chain founded by British billionaire businessman Fred Done, for a reported £265 million. In May 2018, a consortium of investors known as the UK Tote Group bought a 25% stake in the Tote for a reported £20 million and, in October 2019, announced that it had completed the acquisition of the organisation, minus its betting shops, for a reported £115 million.

As far as the first British racecourse to have a Tote facility is concerned, there is a certain irony in the fact that on July 2, 1929 – just a month or after Churchill had retained his Epping seat, but nonetheless been ousted from office – Carlisle Racecourse operated Tote betting for the first time anywhere in Britain. Of course, Tote betting is not for everyone, granted that, as in all forms of pool betting, punters cannot determine the odds of return when striking a bet, but, even so, remains at least as popular as ever with racegoers, especially those who wish, for whatever reason, to avoid the betting ring.