The post draw is done, and the early storylines are already taking shape for the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
Citizen Bull, last year’s top 2-year-old, has a tough task ahead — he drew the dreaded No. 1 post. No horse has won the Derby from the rail since Ferdinand in 1986. With 20 horses charging into the first turn, the inside post can be a nightmare. It forces a horse to either break fast and grab the lead or fall back to avoid getting crushed in traffic.
Trainer Bob Baffert, back at the Derby after a few years away, is staying calm about it. "You can’t worry about the draw once it’s done," Baffert said. "He’s going to have to leave there running — and that’s what he wants to do anyway." Jockey Martin Garcia will be asked to send Citizen Bull right out of the gate.
Baffert also sends out Rodríguez, the Wood Memorial winner, who landed in post 4. He gets a major upgrade with Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who already owns two Derby wins.
The morning-line favorite, Journalism, caught a much better break. He drew post 8 and was set as the 3-1 favorite after winning the Santa Anita Derby three weeks ago. Trained by Michael McCarthy and ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Journalism has been a top choice in Las Vegas futures bets all winter. He’s earned over $630,000 so far and has a big ownership team backing him.
One important scratch: Tappan Street is out of the Derby after suffering an injury.
The 151st Kentucky Derby will be run next Saturday at 6:57 p.m. ET. Twenty horses are set to battle for the $5 million prize over the classic 1¼-mile distance.
Post positions are locked. Now, it’s all about the break, the trip, and the heart.
Post position matters — but the start, the trip, and a little racing luck can change everything. Look for horses that can break clean, stay out of trouble, and still have something left when they turn for home. The Derby is where favorites fall and longshots rise — plan your picks wisely.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
