The Kentucky Derby: An event steeped in history and tradition
The 150th Kentucky Derby isn’t just a race—it’s a spectacle steeped in tradition. From legendary trainers to Triple Crown lineage, here’s what to watch in 2025.
Time to don a fancy hat and start horsing around: The Kentucky Derby takes place in Louisville, KY, on Saturday.
The event, similar to the Masters, is one steeped in history and tradition.
- The first Run for the Roses occurred in 1875—150 years ago—making it the longest continuously held sporting event in US history.
- The race’s venue, Churchill Downs, was founded by Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr., the grandson of William Clark—who along with Meriwether Lewis explored the western portion of the US in what’s known as the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Fast-forward: Storylines to watch this year
Baffert is back. Renowned trainer Bob Baffert, who is tied for the most wins in Derby history (6), will return to “the most exciting two minutes in sports” following a three-year suspension due to one of his horses failing a drug test. His contenders this year: Rodriguez and Citizen Bull.
Nepo babies in the spotlight. This year’s race is the first since 1952 that features the offspring of two Triple Crown winners— it’s also only the third time this has occurred in history. American Pharoah, who captured the 2015 Triple Crown, has two sons in the 2025 field: Publisher and Luxor Café, while Justify (2018 winner) has one son in the field: American Promise.
Will the betting favorite write his winning story? Journalism leads the field with 3-1 odds, followed by Sovereignty (5-1), Sandman (6-1), and Burnham Square (12-1). Fun fact: The favorite has won the Derby ~35% of the time since 1908 (40 times).
Big picture: 150,000+ people are expected to attend this year’s Derby decked out in seersucker and fancy dresses. The event’s purse is $5M, with the winner receiving slightly over $3M.
