10 horses to watch in the final top-tier Kentucky Derby preps
East Avenue winning the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)
April 2nd, 2025
Four weeks out from the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1), only three top-tier Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers remain on the agenda.
The results of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita, the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland, and the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct will all but finalize the Kentucky Derby field.
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 33 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds.https://t.co/hDWURhKJjE
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) April 2, 2025
Here are 10 horses to watch as the Kentucky Derby trail reaches its climax:
Beaza wins at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
1. Baeza
This half-brother to the 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage impressed in a recent maiden race. Now he’ll tackle tougher competition in the Santa Anita Derby.
Barnes wins the San Vicente S. at Santa Anita. (Photo by Benoit Photo)
2. Barnes
Talented sprinter Barnes ran fast when finishing a pacesetting second in the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe (G2). Can he stretch his speed over 1 1/8 miles in the Santa Anita Derby?
Captain Cook winning the Withers S. at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Joe Labozzetta)
3. Captain Cook
Captain Cook won a fast edition of the 1 1/8-mile Withers S. at Aqueduct. He’s a serious contender while sticking to the same track and distance for the Wood Memorial.
Chancer McPatrick winning the Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
4. Chancer McPatrick
Last year’s Hopeful (G1) and Champagne (G1) winner is 3-for-3 in one-turn races and 0-for-2 in two-turn races. He’ll get another chance to prove himself around two turns in the Blue Grass.
Citizen Bull winning the Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita (Photo by Benoit Photo)
5. Citizen Bull
The champion two-year-old male of 2024 has won three Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers in a row. He’s trained up a storm for the Santa Anita Derby and is a formidable win threat.
East Avenue winning the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland (Photo by Coady Media)
6. East Avenue
East Avenue has failed to factor in two starts since crushing the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland last fall. Perhaps returning to Keeneland for the Blue Grass can trigger a turnaround.
East Avenue was much the best and picks up 10 #KentuckyDerby points in the G1 Breeders' Futurity! 🏆🌹 @Tyler_Gaff @brenpwalsh @godolphin
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 5, 2024
🎥#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/p53htmMtbs
Grande wins at Gulfstream Park. (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
7. Grande
Grande has opened his career with back-to-back wins in maiden and allowance races. The Wood Memorial marks his stakes debut for two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher.
Journalism, who exits a win over Barnes in the San Felipe, will make his final Kentucky Derby prep in the Santa Anita Derby (Photo by Horsephotos.com)
8. Journalism
The Kentucky Derby favorite earned a strong 104 Brisnet Speed rating when defeating Barnes in the San Felipe. He’ll aim to keep his momentum going in the Santa Anita Derby.
Owen Almighty winning the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs (Photo by SV Photography)
9. Owen Almighty
Owen Almighty capitalized on a modest pace when wiring the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) by 3 1/2 lengths, but he beat a strong field. Can he do the same against a quicker pace in the Blue Grass?
River Thames wins at Gulfstream. (Photo by Coglianese Photos / Credit to Ryan Thompson)
10. River Thames
River Thames was beaten only a neck in the Fountain of Youth (G2) by future Florida Derby (G1) runner-up Sovereignty. A similar performance may win him the Blue Grass.
