Thrills, Fashion, and Farewells: Highlights from the 151st Kentucky Derby"

Thrills, Fashion, and Farewells: Highlights from the 151st Kentucky Derby" 

The 151st Kentucky Derby, which was held on May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, was a mix of action-packed horse racing, fashion at its best, and touching tributes.

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Race Day Drama: Scratches and Surprises

Derby field was narrowed down to 19 horses following the late scratch of Grande because of a bruised foot.  This move, which was decided by Churchill Downs' state vets, made owner Mike Repole question the grounds for the last-minute scratch, particularly as all diagnostics were clear and the horse had improved.  Grande was the second horse scratched from the race, after Rodriguez's initial withdrawal for the same reason.

Top Contenders and Betting Favorites

The competition included a number of strong contenders:

Journalism: Trained by Mike McCarthy, Journalism went into the Derby as the morning-line favorite with a win in the Santa Anita Derby.

Sovereignty: Having finished second in the Florida Derby, Sovereignty was one of the top selections with 5-1 odds.

Sandman: Sandman, the Arkansas Derby winner, had 6-1 odds but was doubted because of trainer Mark Casse's and jockey Jose Ortiz's previous Derby performances.

Weather forecasts indicated possibly muddy track conditions because of predicted rain, which might have affected race results.

Bob Baffert's Comeback

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert returned to the Derby after a three-year suspension. He was looking for a record seventh Derby victory with his horse, Citizen Bull. His other contender, Rodriguez, was scratched with a foot bruise.

Kentucky Oaks Highlights

The Kentucky Oaks, which took place on May 2, witnessed Good Cheer winning, marking a day of strong performances.

Olivia "Livvy" Dunne, a 22-year-old ex-LSU gymnast and social media influencer, went to her first Kentucky Derby event by wearing an all-pink ensemble for the 2025 Kentucky Oaks, perpetuating the tradition centered on the race's official flower and breast and ovarian cancer awareness. She posted about the experience on Instagram and TikTok, saying she was thrilled to be part of the historic event. Dunne also made the official "riders up" call, a highlight of Oaks Day celebrations.  

Undercard Races and Betting Options

In addition to the feature event, the Derby Day had 14 races, presenting many betting options.  

Popular choices were:  

Race 4: Favorites Castle Chaos (20-1) and Patriot Spirit (8-1) were good prospects along with favorite Kupuna (5-1).

Race 6 (Pat Day Mile): Punters were encouraged to use Built (7-2) and outsider California Burrito (12-1) ahead of the favorite Baffert duo.

Race 8: While coming-back favorite Nysos (4-1) was most wagered upon, value could be uncovered in Book 'Em Danno (8-1), Giant Mischief (8-1), and Mindframe (3-1).

Fashion and Celebrity Appearances

Derby was not only horse racing; it was a fashion show. Guests wore lavish hats and designer clothes, welcoming the tradition of the event. Barnstable Brown Gala, a Derby event, was hosted by celebrities such as NFL players Aaron Rodgers and Simone Biles, all for the benefit of the Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center.

A touching moment was when 18-year- old Dannielynn Birkhead paid tribute to her deceased mother, Anna Nicole Smith, by wearing the same dress her mother wore to the event 21 years ago. Dannielynn said the experience was "the closest to a hug I can get" from her mother.

Conclusion

The 151st Kentucky Derby was a mix of exciting races, surprises, and moving moments. In spite of the scratches and weather issues, the event continued to be a top sporting and social event, capturing global attention.