The 2025 Kentucky Derby is here and many folks in the great state of Texas will be looking to place bets on the year's biggest horse race.  They are in luck as our friends at BetPhoenix do offer Kentucky Derby betting from the state to those 18 and up.

Key Factors That Could Lead to Favorite Journalism Winning This Year's Kentucky Derby

Journalism pays slightly better than $300 for every $100 bet at most race books. 

•     Trainer: Michael McCarthy
•     Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
•     Last race: First in the Santa Anita Derby by ¾ length
•     Career record: 5 starts: 4 wins, 1 third
•     Career earnings: $638,880
•     Best career Beyer Speed Figure: 108 (2025 San Felipe Stakes)
•     Sire: Curlin

Post Position

Nine winners, including Mage in 2023, have started from the No. 8 post position. 

Past Performance

His last two starts were wins and both in Kentucky Derby prep races, including his most recent at the Santa Anita Derby.

As of 2025, 11 horses have won both the Santa Anita Derby and the Kentucky Derby in the same year.  Justify most recently won both in 2018.

More Reason to Bet on Journalism

Though jockey Umberto Rispoli has not yet won a Kentucky Derby, he ranks No. 18 in terms of earnings.  He has had some strong showings of late, including at the Santa Anita with Journalism.

Trainer Mike McCarthy has not won a Kentucky Derby but, In 2021, he trained Rombauer to victory in the Preakness Stakes. He's also had success at the Breeders Cup and Pegasus World Cup.

Key Factors That Could Lead to Sovereignty Winning This Year's Kentucky Derby

Sovereignty had the second shortest odds to win this year's Kentucky Derby at 5-1. 

He most recently finished 2nd in the Florida Derby and just before that won the Fountain of Youth.

He's trained by Bill Mott, who won the Kentucky Derby once, in 2019, when his horse Country House was declared the winner following the disqualification of Maximum Security for interference.

 He has secured 15 Breeders’ Cup wins across various divisions, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Turf, Distaff, and Mile.

Jockey Junior Alvarado has not won the Kentucky Derb but he's made five appearances with his best finish a fourth-place result aboard Mohaymen in 2016 . He finished in6th place last year with Resilience

Key Factors That Could Lead to Sandman Winning This Year's Kentucky Derby

Sandman has the third shortest odds at 6-1.

Past Performance

Sandman's most recent start resulted in a win at the Arkansas Derby.

Three horses have won the Arkansas Derby then went on to win the Kentucky Derby: Sunny's Halo, Smarty Jones, and American Pharoah.

He finished 3rd in his prior race, the Risen Stakes, and 2nd at the Southwest Stakes.

Trainer

As of April 2025, Mark Casse has not won the Kentucky Derby. Despite his success in other major races, including victories in the 2019 Preakness Stakes with War of Will and the 2019 Belmont Stakes with Sir Winston , the Kentucky Derby remains a title he has yet to secure.

It has been four years since Casse has started a horse in the Kentucky Derby.

Jockey

José Ortiz won the 2017 Belmont Stakes and the 2022 Preakness Stakes, though he's never been victorious at the Kentucky Derby.

More Reason to Bet on Sandman

Tom McCrocklin, who consigned the colt, told BloodHorse you can never expect a horse to be at the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, but did expect him to be a high-quality horse.

"I thought he was an elite 2-year-old prospect," he said. "And, he's proven to be right.

"He's proven he can eat dirt. He's certainly proven he's got stamina. So, I think he's got a big chance. But, anybody that wins the Kentucky Derby, you've gotta get lucky."