The iconic Kentucky Derby, the first jewel in the American Triple Crown, returns in full grandeur on Saturday, May 3, 2025, as Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, prepares to host the 151st edition of what is often billed as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” This year’s race will feature a full field of 20 elite three-year-old Thoroughbreds, each vying for immortality in American racing history.
The Kentucky Derby is run over 1¼ miles (10 furlongs) on dirt, with colts and geldings carrying 57 kilograms and fillies carrying 55 kilograms. As tradition dictates, the Derby winner will be draped in a lush garland of roses, honoring its nickname, “The Run for the Roses.” The highly anticipated Derby will go off as Race 12, with a scheduled post time of 6:57 p.m. ET, while gates open as early as 9:00 a.m. ET for a packed day featuring 14 races. One day prior, on Friday, May 2, the track will host the prestigious Kentucky Oaks, with 13 races for elite fillies.
The 2025 Kentucky Derby contenders, in order of post-position draw, are:
CITIZEN BULL, NEOEQUOS, FINAL GAMBIT, RODRIGUEZ, AMERICAN PROMISE, ADMIRE DAYTONA, LUXOR CAFÉ, JOURNALISM, BURNHAM SQUARE, GRANDE, FLYING MOHAWK, EAST AVENUE, PUBLISHER, TIZTASTIC, RENDER JUDGMENT, COAL BATTLE, SANDMAN, SOVEREIGNTY, CHUNK OF GOLD, and OWEN ALMIGHTY.
The event is the crown jewel of the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival, a citywide celebration that includes parades, fireworks, steamboat races, marathons, and more, creating an unmatched build-up to race day. The unique atmosphere is elevated by rich Southern traditions: attendees sip mint juleps—bourbon cocktails served in frosted silver cups—and enjoy burgoo, a hearty stew of beef, pork, chicken, and vegetables.
Adding to the Derby’s charm is the playing of “My Old Kentucky Home” as horses parade to the post, a nostalgic moment that resonates deeply with the fans. Spectators from across the globe flock to Churchill Downs, often dressed in flamboyant hats and elegant spring attire, turning the grandstand into a spectacle of fashion and fanfare.
The roots of this American classic date back to May 17, 1875, when ARISTIDES, ridden by Oliver Lewis and trained by Ansel Williamson, won the inaugural Kentucky Derby before a crowd of 10,000. The race was inspired by Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., who formed the Louisville Jockey Club after studying horse racing in Europe. The track was named Churchill Downs after John and Henry Churchill, who provided the land.
As the Derby grew in stature, top horses began competing in the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, forming the coveted Triple Crown. The term was coined by journalist Charles Hatton, and the feat was first achieved by SIR BARTON in 1919, followed by legends like GALLANT FOX (1930) and the incomparable SECRETARIAT, who set a record time of 1:59:4 in 1973—a record that still stands.
In the modern era, iconic trainers like Ben Jones and Bob Baffert have each secured six Derby wins, while jockeys like Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack hold the joint record of five victories. The 2024 Kentucky Derby was won by MYSTIC DAN, guided to the finish by Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr. and trained by Kenny McPeek.
The 2025 edition promises to be yet another thrilling chapter, blending speed, history, fashion, and culture into one unforgettable Saturday. With a deep and competitive field, a record crowd, and the chance for a future Triple Crown champion to emerge, the Run for the Roses is once again ready to capture the world’s attention.
