The Risen Star at Fair Grounds on Saturday is the first Kentucky Derby prep race of the year to offer 50 qualifying points to the winner, kicking off the road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby. The series includes seven races that award 50 points to the winner and 100 points to the runner-up, leading up to the championship series in mid-April. Notable contenders include Citizen Bull, trained by Bob Baffert, who was the 2-year-old champion and won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Other top contenders to watch include Burnham Square, trained by Ian Wilkes, who won the Grade 3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream, and Patch Adams, trained by Brad Cox, who won an allowance optional claiming race at Gulfstream. Speed King, trained by Ron Moquett, won the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn, while Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott, won the Grade 3 Street Sense at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Derby is set to take place on May 3 at Churchill Downs, with the post time expected to be around 6:57 p.m.
NBC Sports has extended its partnership with Churchill Downs to present the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032, offering multiplatform rights to the Derby and Oaks Day programming. Fans can stream the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Fubo and Peacock, with the post time for the 151st Kentucky Derby expected to be around 6:57 p.m. on May 3. The list of top contenders for the Kentucky Derby is subject to change as the series progresses, with various prep races leading up to the main event at Churchill Downs.
