The 2025 Kentucky Derby is shaping up to be a competitive event, featuring horses trained by renowned Hall-of-Fame trainers such as Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, and Steve Asmussen. Among the contenders, Journalism stands out as the 3-1 favorite after impressive performances in several graded stakes races. Brad Cox’s entry, Final Gambit, is a longshot at 30-1, while the race is set to begin at 6:57 p.m. ET.
Horse racing expert Gene Menez, known for his successful predictions in previous Derby races, has analyzed the field and made his picks. He has a track record of accurately predicting winners and high payouts, including a notable win with 18-1 Mystik Dan last year. Menez’s insights are available on SportsLine, where he shares his best bets for the Derby.
One of Menez’s key predictions is to fade Sandman, despite his Arkansas Derby win and strong breeding background. He notes that Sandman’s connections have struggled in past Derbies, and he doubts the horse can replicate his previous success against a stronger field. Menez believes Sandman may only manage a third-place finish, making him a horse to avoid in the 2025 Derby.
