2025 Kentucky Derby Preview: Top Contenders Emerge from Key Prep Races
Horse racing fans are buzzing with excitement as the 2025 Kentucky Derby nears. Saturday’s key prep races delivered vital insights. For example, the Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, and Arkansas Derby showcased this year’s top contenders. In fact, Journalism, Rodriguez, and Sandman emerged as frontrunners for the Run for the Roses. The “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” at Churchill Downs is less than a month away. So, whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a casual fan, here’s what you need to know about the Kentucky Derby 2025 contenders. They’re set to shine on May 3. Journalism Shines in Santa Anita Derby Journalism claimed a commanding victory in the Santa Anita Derby. As a result, he’s poised to be the morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby. This son of Curlin earned 75 qualifying points with the win. He now has 122.5 points, trailing only Sandman on the leaderboard. Meanwhile, trainer Michael McCarthy’s colt boasts a four-race win streak (4-0-1 in five starts). Additionally, Caesars Sportsbook shortened Journalism to a +350 favorite in Kentucky Derby Future wagering. Check out the buzz on X: Santa Anita Derby Recap. Frankie Taddeo’s Hot Streak Continues Frankie Taddeo, FullTime Fantasy’s horse racing guru, cashed big on the 2025 Wood Memorial. He nailed the exacta at 27/1 and the trifecta at 200/1. For instance, Taddeo has picked 7 of the last 13 Kentucky Derby winners. His 2023 success with Mage included a 115-1 exacta and a 982-1 trifecta. Therefore, this Vegas insider is a must-follow for Derby bettors. What’s his next goal? Taddeo aims to crush it again on the first weekend in May. Bob Baffert’s Shrewd Moves Pay Off Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert made two smart moves with Rodriguez. First, he shipped the colt from California to Aqueduct. Then, he removed the blinkers. Consequently, Rodriguez triumphed gate-to-wire in the Wood Memorial. This win earned him 100 qualifying points, securing 121.25 total Derby points—third on the leaderboard. The son of Authentic (2-2-1 in five starts) showed a front-running style. Notably, this style has proven successful in recent Derbies. See the replay here: Wood Memorial Highlights. Top 2025 Kentucky Derby Contenders to Watch Sandman: Sandman leads with 129 points after winning the Arkansas Derby. This son of Tapit has improved his Equibase Speed Figures in his last five starts, peaking at 104. However, trainer Mark Casse’s colt has a deep-closing style. This approach might face trouble in traffic. Arkansas Derby Recap. Tappan Street: Brad Cox’s colt dazzled in the Florida Derby. He beat Sovereignty with a career-best 96 Equibase Speed Figure. Yet, the son of Into Mischief (2-1-0 in three starts) lacks experience. This could be a hurdle in Louisville. Grande: Grande impressed despite a wide trip in the Wood Memorial. He earned 50 points as the runner-up for Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher. Thus, the son of Curlin could be a sleeper if he gets a good draw. Get Ready for the Run for the Roses The Kentucky Derby is later today, and an epic showdown awaits. GET THE PICKS!! Dive into the action with trusted insights. Start planning your bets for the race of the year at Churchill Downs. Want exclusive tips from experts like Frankie Taddeo? Sign up for a FullTime Fantasy membership today and use promo code DERBY20 to get 20% off your first year! Join Now and Save 20%! Also, follow us for more Kentucky Derby updates and expert betting tips!
Lexington Stakes 2025 Betting Picks: Odds, Best Bets & Preview
Lexington Stakes 2025 Betting Picks: Odds, Best Bets & Insights Welcome to the 2025 horse racing season. FullTime Fantasy presents our expert betting guide for the Lexington Stakes (G3), featuring top picks, odds, and insights for the race on April
Lexington Stakes 2025 Betting Picks: Odds, Best Bets & Insights
Welcome to the 2025 horse racing season. FullTime Fantasy presents our expert betting guide for the Lexington Stakes (G3), featuring top picks, odds, and insights for the race on April 12 at Keeneland.
The 2025 Lexington Stakes (G3) marks the last Kentucky Derby prep race of the season, set for Saturday afternoon at Keeneland Racetrack. Nine horses will compete in this exciting showdown, vying for a piece of the $400,000 purse.
However, with just 20 qualifying points available for the winner, none of the contenders will secure enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. Despite this, the race offers plenty of betting opportunities. Let’s explore the field, analyze the odds, and share our top picks.
2025 Lexington Stakes (G3) Details
- Racetrack: Keeneland, Lexington, Kentucky
- Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
- Purse: $400,000
- Distance: 1 1/16 Mile, Dirt
- Race Number: 9
- Post Time: 5:16 p.m. EST / 2:16 p.m. PST
- Where to Watch: FanDuel TV
Race Entries and Odds
Here’s the full field for the 2025 Lexington Stakes, including post positions, horses, jockeys, trainers, and morning line odds:
Key Contenders to Watch
No. 3 Bullard (3-1): Sired by Gun Runner, this colt is chasing his third win in four outings. His victory in the Bob Hope Stakes showcased his potential, and with strong recent workouts, he’s poised to challenge the favorite, Praetor.
Want to know the other top contenders and our sleeper pick for the Lexington Stakes? Subscribe now to unlock our expert analysis!
Betting Insights for the Lexington Stakes
Our expert Lexington Stakes 2025 betting picks include a top selection, a longshot, and detailed exacta and trifecta strategies to help you make the most of your bets.
Subscribe now to access our full Lexington Stakes 2025 betting picks!
2025 Blue Grass Stakes, Wood Memorial, and Santa Anita Derby: Frank Taddeo’s Expert Betting Previews
2025 Blue Grass Stakes, Wood Memorial, and Santa Anita Derby: Frank Taddeo’s Expert Betting Previews Top Picks and Winning Wagers from a Vegas Insider Who’s Nailed 7 of the Last 13 Kentucky Derbys Get ready for a blockbuster Saturday, April
Get ready for a blockbuster Saturday, April 5, 2025, as three critical Kentucky Derby prep races—the Blue Grass Stakes, Wood Memorial, and Santa Anita Derby—set the stage for the Run for the Roses. Who better to guide your bets than Frank Taddeo, a longtime Vegas Insider and respected handicapper on X, who’s correctly picked 7 of the last 13 Kentucky Derby winners? Highlighted by his 2023 triumph with Mage, where he nailed the win, (115-1) exacta, and a mind-blowing (982-1) trifecta, Taddeo’s proven he’s a force in horse racing. With standout contenders like River Thames, Grande, and Journalism in the spotlight, his betting previews deliver sharp odds analysis and strategic wagers to help you cash in today. Dive into the action with a pro you can trust.
UPDATE 2:30pm EST: Due to bad weather, the Blue Grass Stakes has been moved to Tuesday, April 8th.
2025 Blue Grass Stakes (G2)
- Racetrack: Keeneland
- Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 (Updated)
- Purse: $750,000
- Distance: 1 1/8 Mile, Dirt
- Race: 10
- Post Time: 5:52 p.m. EST / 2:52 PST
- TV: FanDuel TV
2025 Blue Grass Stakes Contenders & ML Odds
River Thames is the 5/2 morning-line favorite for the #BlueGrassStakes (G1), Saturday’s #KYDerby qualifier at Keeneland.
Bet with OTB >> https://t.co/nfXUpL7elB pic.twitter.com/2nHt0VZbsj— OffTrackBetting.com (@OTBonline) April 2, 2025
Blue Grass Betting Breakdown
My top play is No. 1 River Thames (5/2), who drew the rail with top jockey Irad Ortiz in the saddle. Todd Pletcher’s top entry won’t have the lead alone as he’s likely to be joined by both Owen Almighty and East Avenue up front battling for the lead.
- TOP Exacta Part-Wheel: 1 / 3,4,6 — $1 wager: $3
- Exacta BOX: 1-3-4-6 — $1 wager: $12
- TOP Trifecta Part-Wheel: 1 with 3,4,6 with 3,4,6 — $1 wager: $5
- Spread Tri: 1,3 / 1,3,4,6 / 1,3,4,6 — $0.50 wager: $6
All wagers display ticket cost. Adjust wager amounts based on your bankroll.
2025 Wood Memorial (G2)
- Racetrack: Aqueduct
- Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025
- Purse: $750,000
- Distance: 1 1/8 Mile, Dirt
- Race: 12
- Post Time: 6:10 p.m. EST / 3:10 PST
- TV: FOX
2025 Wood Memorial Entries, Post Positions, Jockeys, Trainers & ML Odds
The G2 #WoodMemorial, scheduled on Saturday, awards the top-five finishers 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.
Bet #HorseRacing online with OTB >> https://t.co/eXYkMUCVZ7 pic.twitter.com/WGOXGreLqV— OffTrackBetting.com (@OTBonline) April 1, 2025
Wood Memorial Betting Breakdown
With rain in the forecast, my top play is…
To finish reading this article and get Frankie’s Wood Memorial and Santa Anita best bets…
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Includes Frankie’s Kentucky Derby betting previews, horse profiles, and full race breakdown!
Florida Derby & Arkansas Derby Horse Racing Betting Previews and Best Bets
Horse Racing betting previews of the Florida Derby and the Arkansas Derby with Best Bets by Frank Taddeo, a respected Las Vegas Horse Handicapper who has hit 7 of the last 10 Kentucky Derby winners. On Saturday, racing fans will be treated to two important Kentucky Prep races – the Florida Derby and the Arkansas Derby. Earlier on Saturday, racing fans will get to watch the $1,000,000 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. The race features Bill Mott’s No. 10 Sovereignty (8/5) who heads in fresh off a win in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream which earned him a 98 Equibase rating for his effort. However, drawing the outside post in 1 1/8 Mile contest is not something I am willing to back on top at short-odds. Up second will be the $1,500,000 Arkansas Derby (G1) from Oaklawn Park. I will preface this breakdown by stating that I will be fading Bob Baffert’s No. 9 Cornucopian (1-1) at short-odds as he takes a massive step up in class and distance. The son of Into Mischief caught the eyes of many horse bettors when he won a maiden special weight sprint at Oaklawn back on February 23 with an Equibase speed rating of 108. Coal Battle looks to stay undefeated on the Road to the #KyDerby in tomorrows G1 Arkansas Derby at @OaklawnRacing pic.twitter.com/1CS84m3de7 — Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) March 28, 2025 Instead I will be focusing on my top Derby prospect No. 8 Coal Battle (5/1) at solid plus-odds on top. The son Coal Front, who is 5-for-7 in his career, is in peak form winning four consecutive races with Juan Vargas in the saddles. In 2025, he has already won the Smarty Jones and the Rebel Stakes improving in every win. In the Rebel, he posted a career-best 104 Equibase speed figure. Who will cross the finish line first? Let’s take a look at the odds and dive deeper into these races. Florida Derby (G1) Racetrack: Gulfstream Park Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025 Purse: $1,500,000 Distance: 1 1/8 Mile, Dirt Race: 14 Post Time: 6:42 p.m. EST / 3:42 PST Who is your pick in this afternoon’s Arkansas Derby? 🤔 Post time 7:48pm ET pic.twitter.com/ZdGkioNdrr — Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) March 29, 2025 Florida Derby Betting Breakdown My top play is No. 1 Neoequos (10/1) who drew the rail and is likely the speed of the race. I am willing to bet that Saffie Joseph will have Edgard Zayas send him to the lead and try to take them gate-to-wire. TOP Exacta Part-Wheel: 1 /4,7,8,9,10 $1 wager: $5 Protective Exacta BOX: 1-4-10-9-8 $1 wager: $20 TOP Trifecta Part-Wheel: 1 with 4,9,10 with 4,7,8,9,10 $1 wager: $12 Trifecta BOX: 1-4-10-9 ¢.50 wager: $12 All wagers display ticket cost. All bettors should adjust wager amounts based upon bankroll *** Arkansas Derby (GI) Racetrack: Oaklawn Park Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025 Purse: $1,500,000 Distance: 1 1/8 mile, Dirt Race: 13 Post Time: 7:48 p.m. EST / 4:48 PST Who is your pick in this afternoon’s Arkansas Derby? 🤔 Post time 7:48pm ET pic.twitter.com/ZdGkioNdrr — Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) March 29, 2025 Arkansas Derby Betting Breakdown I have been on No. 8 Coal Battle (5/1) all winter and I will be backing my top Derby prospect once again in the Arkansas Derby at solid 5-1 odds TOP Exacta Part-Wheel: 8 / 3,6,9 $1 wager: $3 TOP Trifecta Part-Wheel: 8 / 3,6,9 / 2,3,4,6,9, $1 wager: $9 WIN BET: No.8 One Unit All wagers display ticket cost. All bettors should adjust wager amounts based upon bankroll.
2024 Breeder’s Cup Saturday Picks
RESPECTED MONEY: 2024 BREEDERS CUP SATURDAY PICKS The annual Breeder’s Cup World Championships bring out the best of the best in the horse racing community. It’s a two-day event filled with many races and a who’s who of the community. Respected Money‘s 2024 Breeder’s Cup Saturday Picks will catch you up on all you need to know about this event. KEY: TOP PICK FAVORITES LIVE LONGSHOTS TOP MOONSHOTS Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint – RACE 4 7 furlongs on dirt for females 3 and up. Purse: $1 million. Post time: 12 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – RACE 5 5 furlongs on turf for horses 3 and up. Purse: $1 million. Post time: 12:41 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Distaff – RACE 6 1 1/8 miles on dirt for females 3 and up. Purse: $2 million. Post time: 1:21 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Turf – RACE 7 1 ½ miles on turf for horses 3 and up. Purse: $4 million. Post time: 2:01 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Classic RACE 8 1 ¼ miles on dirt for horses 3 and up. Purse: $6 million. Post time: 2:41 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf RACE 9 1 ¼ miles on turf for females 3 and up. Purse: $2 million. Post time: 3:25 p.m. Breeder’s Cup Spring Race 10 6 furlongs on dirt for horses 3 and up. Purse: $2 million. Post time: 4:05 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Turf Mile RACE 11 1 mile on turf for horses 3 and up. Purse: $1 million. Post time: 4:45 p.m. Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile RACE 12 1 mile on dirt for horses 3 and up. Purse: $2 million. Post time: 5:25 p.m. ENTER OUR WEEK 9 DRAFT CONTEST! How it Works: First, draft your team using our On-Demand Simulator. Second, try to stack the team with players you think will do well this week. Finally, the highest Week 9 Score wins. (PLUS: You get to see the Thursday Night game and then draft!) Here’s our Week 9 Player Rankings to help. First, it’s a best-ball contest, so no need to submit a lineup. We’ll optimize the best one. Second, you just sit back and watch your team climb the leaderboard. Weekly Prizes and a Grand Prize at the end of the season! Finally, The Grand Prize Winner (highest individual week of the season) gets to choose from the amazing prizes below. If you don’t know just how awesome and amazing the Panini Flawless Football briefcase is, make sure and watch the video starting at the 8-minute mark! Trading cards are back! MEMBER PERK! Fulltime Members get 5 Free On-Demand Drafts each month in our contest! DRAFT YOUR WEEK 9 TEAM and enter your REDEMPTION CODE you received by email.