Horse Racing

Kentucky Derby 2025: Journalism Odds, Jockey, Trainer, Owner, & Equibase Speed Figures

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Anthony Cardenas
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Anthony Cardenas Sports Editor

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Sports Editor

Published30 Apr 2025

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The 2025 Kentucky Derby is right around the corner, with the 151st running of the prestigious race set for Saturday, May 3rd. This year’s odds-on favorite in the betting market is Journalism, who has a far better designation than any other horse in the running.

Journalism Is The Favorite For The 2025 Kentucky Derby

Here are Journalism’s odds, as well as information on the colt’s jockey, trainer, owner, and more.

Journalism’s 2025 Kentucky Derby Odds

(+285)

Journalism enters the 2025 Kentucky Derby as the horse to beat according to the current odds with a designation of +285. He has demonstrated talent and speed in his previous races, and has a pedigree suggesting he can handle the Derby distance. However, the Kentucky Derby is known for its unpredictability, and overcoming the “favorite curse” in a large field will be a significant test.

No favorite has ended up winning the Race for the Roses since 2018.

Who Will The Jockey Be?

Umberto Rispoli is a jockey who hails from Italy. He is 36-years-old, and has been riding since 2005. The 2025 Kentucky Derby will be the third time that he has participated in the event, as he rode Brooklyn Strong to a 14th place finish in 2021 and Endlessly into 9th place just last year.

Rispoli has earned $2.9 million so far this year, which ranks 20th among jockeys in North America, according to Equibase.

Who Is Journalism’s Trainer?

The trainer for this year’s odds-on favorite is Michael McCarthy. The Ohio native got his first major win back in 2014, and was the trainer for a horse who picked up a couple of Triple Crown top-three finishes. McCarthy worked with Rombauer back in 2021, who finished in first place in that year’s Preakness. Less than a month later, Rombauer came in third in the Belmont Stakes.

McCarthy ranks 22nd in earnings among trainers since the year 2000, which is a value of over $43 million.

Who Owns Journalism?

Journalism is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. They have been in business since 2011. Here are their statistics:

Over 624 wins from over 3138 starts.

Over $56 million in total earnings.

161 stakes wins, including 29 Grade 1 victories.

A 3rd place finish in the 2014 Kentucky Derby with Danza

Key Equibase Speed Figures:

  • DK Horse San Felipe Stakes (March 1, 2025): 110

This is his career-best Equibase Speed Figure to date and was earned in a Grade 2 victory

  • Santa Anita Derby (April 5, 2025): 108

He earned this figure when winning this important Grade 1 prep race

  • Los Altimos Futurity (December 14, 2024): 106

He won this Grade 2 race as a two-year-old