When it comes to horse racing, the Kentucky Derby is the biggest race in the world. Specifically held on the first Saturday in May, the 2025 Kentucky Derby will take place on May 3, 2025. The venue is iconic Churchill Downs, famed for its massive grandstand that has twin spires over the roof.
Of course, the Kentucky Derby is known for fans dressing up in fancy suits, dresses, and hats. Parties take place all over the world on Derby Day and the betting handle tops all other races.
It’s never too early to start looking for the 2025 Kentucky Derby winner. At the onset of betting, the favorites include Chancer McPatrick, Ferocious, and Gaming.
Chancer McPatrick
Chancer McPatrick overcame adversity to win both of his outings at Saratoga. Especially the Sept. 2 Hopeful (G1). If the Chad Brown trainee could rally despite it all to go 2-for-2, what might happen next?
From the first crop sired by $3.6 million-earner McKinzie, Chancer McPatrick sold for $725,000 as a two-year-old in training at OBS April. Correlate that his dam, Bernadreamy, is the daughter of 2006 Preakness (G1) champion Bernardini and Grade 1 Vixen Dream Empress.
Chancer McPatrick broke well in his July 27 Horse racing betting odds debut but got shuffled back to last early. To illuminate, the Flanagan Racing color-bearer nevertheless launched a circling move to win going away.
In the historic Hopeful, the Spa’s marquee race for juveniles, Chancer McPatrick hit the gate at the start. Next, he bumped a rival and caused jockey Flavien Prat to lose his left stirrup. Somehow, both the horse and rider were able to recover. And then Chancer McPatrick delivered an even stronger closing kick to edge odds-on favorite Ferocious. Chancer McPatrick registered a 99 Brisnet Speed figure for his overall effort in the Hopeful and a lofty 110 Late Pace rating for his final flourish.
Ferocious
Although Ferocious was overturned as the Hopeful offshore betting favorite, the $1.3 million OBS March purchase has considerable upside. Also, he has connections in common with the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, Mage. Namely trainer Gustavo Delgado and co-owner OGMA Investments.
Ferocious was just that in his Aug. 3 unveiling at the Spa. He drew off in a dazzling 1:09.65 for six furlongs. Hence, that effort netted him a 99 Brisnet Speed figure and 102 Late Pace rating. But he made rookie mistakes by breaking slowly, rushing up, and having to be nudged to go on the turn when the leader got away from him.
Yet another mental error likely cost him in the Hopeful. Losing focus at the top of the stretch, Ferocious was going nowhere until Chancer McPatrick swept onto the scene. That forced Ferocious to re-engage, and he came up a half-length short.
Ferocious effectively paired up his Brisnet Speed figures by recording a 98 in the Hopeful. Thus, suggesting that there’s more to come. His Horse racing lines
pedigree concurs.
Gaming
Gaming stamped himself as the leading juvenile on the West Coast in Sunday’s Del Mar Futurity (G1). As a result, giving trainer Bob Baffert a record-extending 18th win in the seaside feature. His 99 Brisnet Speed rating equals Chancer McPatrick’s from the Hopeful.
Unlike his frontrunning score the first time out on Aug. 11, Gaming bided his time behind a fast pace in the Futurity. Accordingly, he swept to the lead, turning into the stretch.