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Of course, one of the joys of ringing in the New Year is that Triple Crown horse racing season begins with the road to the Kentucky Derby. Sharp gamblers love the Kentucky Derby prep races because they can often find good lines with less casual sector influence. Indeed, Offshore betting opportunities abound on the road to Derby Day.
Top Contenders for the 2025 Triple Crown
East Avenue
A gate-to-wire victory by 5 1/4 lengths in the (G1) Breeders’ Futurity launched East Avenue onto the Road to the Kentucky Derby. To illuminate, the Godolphin homebred is known for his front-running style. But don’t conflate his abundant speed with stamina limitations. His pedigree suggests stretching out over 1 1/4 miles for the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) won’t be an obstacle.
Sovereignty
There was a time not too many years ago when a horse like Sovereignty might have been overlooked as a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender. Cause by his pedigree. Despite a decisive stretch-running score in the 1 1/16-mile Street Sense (G3) under his belt, bettors might have doubted Sovereignty’s ability to stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby. The reason? His sire, Into Mischief.
Chancer McPatrick
Chancer McPatrick ranks among the most accomplished two-year-olds of 2024 after winning the Hopeful (G1) and Champagne (G1). Prevailing in the Champagne earned Chancer McPatrick 10 qualification points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Also, with two Grade 1 wins under his belt, the bay colt is an early favorite for the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1). But will his deep-closing style prove successful over 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May? His pedigree suggests it’s not a given.
Citizen Bull
Namely, Citizen Bull joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with frontrunning successes in the 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah (G1) and 1 1/16-mile Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Initially, a glance at Citizen Bull’s pedigree might suggest 1 1/16 miles is the upper limit of his distance capabilities, leaving the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby (G1) out of reach. After all, both his sire and dam sire were sprinter/milers who failed to prove their worth over 1 1/4 miles.
Jonathan’s Way
Jonathan’s Way became the first horse to earn Horse racing lines points on the 2024-25 Road to the Kentucky Derby when wiring the one-mile Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs. Bred in Ohio by Susan L. Anderson Racing, Jonathan’s Way has shown versatility in terms of running style. Correlate that he was never headed in the Iroquois but won his debut sprinting six furlongs with a big rally after a troubled start.
But does Jonathan’s Way have the pedigree to race 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May? The Kentucky Derby (G1) distance tests both speed and stamina. While we know Jonathan’s Way has speed, his pedigree suggests stamina is a question mark.
2025 Triple Crown Races
151st Kentucky Derby
| Date: | Saturday, May 3, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY |
| Race Distance: | 1 1/4 miles ( 10 furlongs ), dirt track |
| Purse: | $5 million |
150th Preakness Stakes
| Date: | Saturday, May 17, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, MD |
| Race Distance: | 1 3/16 Miles |
| Purse: | $2 million |
157th Belmont Stakes
| Date: | Saturday, June 7, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs, NY (Belmont Park Construction) |
| Race Distance: | 1 1/4 miles (12 furlongs ), dirt track |
| Purse: | $2 million |