Kentucky Derby Roundup: American Promise wins Virginia Derby

The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 47 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:

American Promise dominates Virginia Derby

After finishing sixth in the Southwest (G3) and fifth in the Risen Star (G2), American Promise delivered a big step forward when dropping in class for the $500,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs last Saturday.

The 1 1/8-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier awarded 50-25-15-10-5 points to the top five finishers. Over a blazingly fast racing surface, American Promise dueled with Sunland Park Derby winner Getaway Car through splits of :23.12, :45.20, and 1:08.39 before powering to victory by 7 3/4 lengths in the track-record time of 1:46.41.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: American Promise

With a total of 55 qualification points to his credit, American Promise has vaulted into fifth place on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. Render Judgement (29 points, 14th place) got up for second place in the Virginia Derby, followed by Omaha Omaha (26 points, 15th place), Getaway Car (46 points, eighth place) and Studlydoright (11 points, 33rd place).

John Hancock, Built lead Louisiana Derby field

A 10-horse field has entered Saturday’s $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds, one of the first Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers of the year worth 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five finishers. Both the winner and the runner-up are virtually guaranteed spots in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.

The field is led by the undefeated John Hancock, who beat a tough field in last month’s Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs. Built, winner of the Gun Runner S. and placed in the Lecomte (G3) and Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, is another high-profile entrant.

Risen Star (G2) runner-up Chunk of Gold and fourth-place finisher Vassimo are back for another try at Fair Grounds. Sunland Park Derby runner-up Caldera and Rebel (G2) alumni Tiztastic and Hypnus also bring Road to the Kentucky Derby experience to the table.

Maiden and allowance winners Yinzer, Furio, and Instant Replay complete the lineup.

Poster makes Tapeta debut in Jeff Ruby Steaks

Remsen (G2) winner Poster has won on dirt and turf. He’ll aim to add a Tapeta win to his tally in Saturday’s $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park, a Road to the Kentucky Derby worth 100-50-25-15-10 points.

Poster kicked off 2025 with a rallying third-place finish in the Sam F. Davis against John Hancock.

California Burrito, Baby Max, and Maximum Promise are logical challengers after running 1-2-3 in the John Battaglia Memorial S. at Turfway last month. Other stakes-experienced runners in the field include Kitten’s Joy S. winner Charlie’s to Blame, Pilgrim (G2) fifth-place finisher Flying Mohawk, and Road to the Kentucky Derby alumni Calling Card, Giocoso, Innovator, and He’s Not Joking.

Completing the main body of the field are the maiden winners Final Gambit and Curvino. The maiden Candytown is an also-eligible entrant who will only draw in if there’s a scratch.

Journalism favored in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5

After winning the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and San Felipe (G2) in succession, Journalism is the new favorite to win the 2025 Kentucky Derby. He closed at 5-1 odds in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5, beating out Fountain of Youth (G2) winner Sovereignty (7-1) and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) conqueror Citizen Bull (7-1).

Check out our Pool 5 recap for a complete list of betting interests and final odds.

Kentucky Derby contender workouts

Here are some of the latest workouts recorded by Road to the Kentucky Derby points earners:

Baby Max: Half a mile in a bullet :48.20 on Wednesday at Turfway Park.

Built: Five furlongs in 1:00.40 on Friday at Fair Grounds.

Burnham Square: Four furlongs in :49.00 on Friday at Palm Meadows.

Caldera: Five furlongs in a bullet :59.60 on Friday at Oaklawn Park.

California Burrito: Half a mile in :48.20 on Saturday at Turfway Park.

Camp Hale: Five furlongs in 1:01.05 on Friday at Palm Meadows.

Captain Cook: Four furlongs in :50.09 on Tuesday over the Belmont Park training track.

Chunk of Gold: Five furlongs in 1:01.40 on Saturday at Turfway Park.

Coal Battle: Five furlongs in 1:02.00 on Friday at Oaklawn Park.

East Avenue: Five furlongs in a bullet :59.20 last Monday at Fair Grounds, followed by another bullet five furlongs over the same track in 1:00.40 on Sunday.

Innovator: Five furlongs in a bullet 1:00.40 on Wednesday at Oaklawn Park.

John Hancock: Five furlongs in 1:02.00 on Sunday at Payson Park.

Journalism: Four furlongs in :48.20 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Madaket Road: Half a mile in a bullet :46.40 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Maximum Promise: Five furlongs in 1:01.80 on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Poster: Six furlongs in 1:15.20 last Monday at Turfway Park.

Sandman: Half a mile in :59.40 on Tuesday at Oaklawn Park.

Sovereignty: Five furlongs in 1:01.80 on Saturday at Payson Park.

Tappan Street: Five furlongs in a bullet 1:00.80 on Saturday at Payson Park.

Tip Top Thomas: Five furlongs in a bullet 1:01.73 on Thursday at Palm Beach Downs.

Tiztastic: Four furlongs in :50.00 on Sunday at Fair Grounds.

Vassimo: Five furlongs in 1:00.85 on Friday at Palm Beach Downs.

American Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Coal Battle (70 points)
2. Owen Almighty (65 points)
3. Citizen Bull (60 points)
4. Sovereignty (60 points)
5. American Promise (55 points)

European-Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Hotazhell (20 points)*
2. Opera Ballo (20 points)*
3. Titanium Emperor (20 points)*
4. Wimbledon Hawkeye (13 points)*
5. Camille Pissarro (10 points)*

Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Luxor Cafe (30 points)
2. Myriad Love (20 points)*
3. Promised Gene (15 points)
4. Natural Rise (14 points)
5. Happy Man (10 points)

* Not currently nominated to the Triple Crown.