Kentucky Derby Roundup: Journalism reaffirms favoritism

The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 26 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:

Journalism overcomes adversity in Santa Anita Derby

A troubled trip couldn’t stop San Felipe (G2) winner Journalism from rallying to victory in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita, cementing his favoritism for the Kentucky Derby.

After saving ground along the inside, Journalism had to steady in traffic rounding the far turn, losing ground at a key moment in the race. Nevertheless, he recovered to launch an outside rally and catch improving maiden winner Baeza by three-quarters of a length in 1:49.56.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Journalism

With 122.5 Kentucky Derby qualification points to his credit, Journalism ranks second on the leaderboard and is safely in the Kentucky Derby field. However, the 37.5 points Baeza earned for his runner-up finish may prove insufficient; he’s currently 23rd on the leaderboard.

The maiden Westwood, who is not a Triple Crown nominee, finished third over champion two-year-old male Citizen Bull and San Felipe runner-up Barnes. The latter two ran below expectations, but Citizen Bull remains eligible for the Kentucky Derby with 71.25 points to his credit.

Journalism’s Santa Anita Derby triumph came only hours after he closed as the 5-1 favorite in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 6. His win at Santa Anita should ensure that he starts at an even lower price on the first Saturday in May.

Rodriguez leads all the way in Wood Memorial

A month after finishing third by 11 1/4 lengths against Journalism in the San Felipe (G2), Rodriguez took a big step forward in the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.

Racing without blinkers for the first time, Rodriguez dashed to the lead, set increasingly strong fractions of :23.31, :47.44, and 1:11.25, and clocked his final furlong in :12.47 to win by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:48.15. He’s climbed to third place on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 121.25 points and will head to Louisville as one of the favorites.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Rodriguez

Grande, making his stakes debut, rallied for second place and earned 50 points, ranking 16th on the leaderboard. Passion Rules (25 points, 30th place), Captain Cook (35 points, 25th place), and McAfee (15 points, not nominated to the Triple Crown) rounded out the top five.

Admire Daytona battles to UAE Derby triumph

Admire Daytona is bound for the Kentucky Derby after topping the European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby with a tenacious triumph in the UAE Derby (G2) at Meydan in Dubai.

Making his first start outside of Japan, the son of Drefong vied for command throughout and turned back a prolonged homestretch challenge from Heart of Honor to win by a nose, completing 1,900 meters (about 1 3/16 miles) in 1:59.13. Don in the Mood, Shin Forever, and Queen Azteca rounded out the top five.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Admire Daytona

Although not nominated to the Triple Crown at the time of his win, Admire Daytona has been made a late nominee prior to the April 7 deadline and is an intended starter on the first Saturday in May.

The European/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby will offer one other invitation to compete at Churchill Downs. Heart of Honor is first in line to accept, though he still needs to be nominated to the Triple Crown.

Blue Grass postponed until Tuesday

Due to heavy rain in Kentucky, the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland has been postponed from Saturday until Tuesday.

The final top-tier prep worth 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five finishers has drawn a seven-horse field led by Fountain of Youth runner-up River Thames, two-time Grade 1 winner Chancer McPatrick, Tampa Bay Derby (G3) hero Owen Almighty, last year’s Breeders’ Futurity (G1) conqueror East Avenue, and Holy Bull (G3) winner Burnham Square.

Virginia Derby runner-up Render Judgment and Rebel (G2) sixth-place finisher Admiral Dennis complete the lineup.

Field is set for Lexington Stakes

The final stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is the 1 1/16-mile Lexington (G3), slated to take place on Saturday at Keeneland. The race awards 20-10-6-4-2 points to the top five finishers.

The nine-horse field is led by Bob Hope (G3) winner Bullard and Hutcheson S. hero Rolando, two accomplished sprinters stretching out in distance. Others in the field include Road to the Kentucky Derby alumni Bracket Buster, Hypnus, and Touchy; the stakes-experienced maiden winner Hard as Life; last-out maiden winner Gosger; starter optional claiming winner Native Runner; and runaway allowance optional claiming winner Praetor.

Kentucky Derby contender workouts

Here are some of the latest workouts recorded by Kentucky Derby contenders:

American Promise: Five furlongs in a bullet :59.20 on Tuesday at Oaklawn Park.

Caldera: Five furlongs in 1:01.20 last Monday at Oaklawn.

California Burrito: Half a mile in :49.60 over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs on Sunday.

Chunk of Gold: Four furlongs in :49.20 on Saturday at Turfway Park.

Final Gambit: Half a mile in :48.80 on Wednesday at Churchill Downs.

American Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Sandman (129 points)
2. Journalism (122.5 points)
3. Rodriguez (121.25 points)
4. Tiztastic (119 points)
5. Tappan Street (110 points)

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

1. Admire Daytona (100 points)
2. Heart of Honor (50 points)*
3. Don in the Mood (25 points)*
4. Hotazhell (20 points)*
5. Opera Ballo (20 points)*

Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard top five

1. Luxor Cafe (70 points)
2. Myriad Love (20 points)*
3. Meisho Zuiun (20 points)*
4. Promised Gene (15 points)
5. Natural Rise (14 points)

* Not currently nominated to the Triple Crown.