Don’t Miss These 2025 Kentucky Derby Picks: Expert Predictions, Latest Odds, and Sleeper Horses to Watch

 Can the Son of a Triple Crown Champion Win the 2025 Kentucky Derby?

In 2015, American Pharoah made history with a dominant Triple Crown run, starting with a commanding win at Churchill Downs. A decade later, his son Publisher enters the 2025 Kentucky Derby as a 20-1 longshot. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Publisher is still seeking his first career victory but impressed with a runner-up finish in the Arkansas Derby.

While Journalism leads the field as the 3-1 favorite, followed closely by Sovereignty (5-1) and Sandman (6-1), recent Derby history has favored longshots—each of the past four editions has been won by horses at generous odds. That could make Publisher a tempting play for bettors looking beyond the top contenders.

Before locking in any 2025 Kentucky Derby picks, it's worth consulting insights from Santa Anita-based racing analyst Michelle Yu. Known for her sharp handicapping, Yu picked Medina Spirit (12-1) to win in 2021 and highlighted All Other 3-Year-Olds at 18-1 before Rich Strike’s upset win. In 2025 alone, she’s nailed Citizen Bull in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Forever Young in the $20 million Saudi Cup, Journalism in the San Felipe Stakes, and Sandman in the Arkansas Derby.

Those who’ve followed her advice on platforms like FanDuel Racing, TwinSpires, and 1/ST BET have seen major returns.  

How to Make Smart 2025 Kentucky Derby Picks

Racing expert Michelle Yu is especially bullish on a double-digit longshot who's been handling the Churchill Downs track impressively in the lead-up to the race. She’s including this underrated contender in her 2025 Kentucky Derby bets — and you should strongly consider doing the same. Yu has revealed her full list of horses to back exclusively at SportsLine.

🏇 2025 Kentucky Derby: Post Positions & Odds

📅 Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025

⏰ Post Time: 6:57 p.m. ET

📍 Venue: Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY

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🐎 Field & Morning-Line Odds:

1️⃣ Citizen Bull – 20-1

2️⃣ Neoequos – 30-1

3️⃣ Final Gambit – 30-1

4️⃣ Rodriguez – 12-1 (Scratched due to foot bruise)

5️⃣ American Promise – 30-1

6️⃣ Admire Daytona – 30-1

7️⃣ Luxor Cafe – 15-1

8️⃣ Journalism – 3-1 (Morning-line favorite)

9️⃣ Burnham Square – 12-1

🔟 Grande – 20-1 (Scratched)

1️⃣1️⃣ Flying Mohawk – 30-1

1️⃣2️⃣ East Avenue – 20-1

1️⃣3️⃣ Publisher – 20-1

1️⃣4️⃣ Tiztastic – 20-1

1️⃣5️⃣ Render Judgment – 30-1

1️⃣6️⃣ Coal Battle – 30-1

1️⃣7️⃣ Sandman – 6-1

1️⃣8️⃣ Sovereignty – 5-1

1️⃣9️⃣ Chunk of Gold – 30-1

2️⃣0️⃣ Owen Almighty – 30-1

2️⃣1️⃣ Baeza – 12-1 (Entry due to scratches)

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📊 Notable Insights:

• Journalism leads as the 3-1 favorite, trained by Michael McCarthy and riding a four-race win streak, including the Santa Anita Derby.

• Sovereignty (5-1) and Sandman (6-1) are strong contenders, with recent wins in the Fountain of Youth and Arkansas Derby, respectively.

• Publisher (20-1), son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, is a notable longshot to watch.

• Baeza (12-1), a late entry, finished second to Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby and is considered a serious challenger.

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📌 Betting Tip:

Recent history shows that horses starting from post positions 13 or higher have been successful, with eight of the last 13 winners coming from these outside posts.

How to Make Smart 2025 Kentucky Derby Picks

Racing analyst Michelle Yu is particularly confident in a double-digit longshot who has been handling the Churchill Downs track exceptionally well during workouts this week. She’s including this under-the-radar contender in her 2025 Kentucky Derby selections—and it’s one you won’t want to overlook. Yu is revealing her full list of recommended bets exclusively on SportsLine.