Kentucky Derby Odds, Horses, and Betting Trends

The 2025 Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 3 at Churchill Downs, and fans are watching closely the Betting Trends to see which horses can build momentum heading into one of the biggest events in racing. Last year’s winner, Mystik Dan, crossed the finish line by a nose—a rare result that hadn’t occurred since 1996. At 18-1 odds, he reminded everyone that results don’t always follow predictions.

This year’s Belmont Stakes lineup is shaping up with some interesting betting trends already taking form. Journalism, currently the 3-1 early favorite, has held steady throughout the prep season. His consistency puts him in a strong position on paper, but the Belmont Stakes is no stranger to surprises. Horses such as Burnham Square (15-1) and Blue Grass Belmont Stakes winner, and Jason Servis’s Citizen Bull (20-1) are two to get looked at by those who analyze for true long shots.

Analyzing the full field, rather than just the top contenders, has been proven very important over the years by betting trends. Longshots have made big impressions, with Rich Strike and Country House being the two that changed winning outcomes for many bettors. This pattern continues to remind racing fans and handicappers that horses further down the odds board can still be very relevant, especially when they match well against the expected race setup.

Jody Demling’s track record speaks for itself. His insight into betting trends—from pace analysis to workout reports—has helped many bettors find value in crowded and unpredictable fields. He’s consistently nailed top finishers in major events, including the Oaks-Derby double 11 times and multiple trifectas and superfectas in the Preakness and Belmont.

His early projections for this year’s Belmont Stakes are already posted at SportsLine, where followers of his work are closely tracking which betting trends are gaining momentum. With more than a dozen entries likely, paying attention to prep results, running styles, and how each contender fits into the projected race pace continues to be a key takeaway in analyzing the 2025 field.

Burnham Square enters with momentum after a strong showing at the Blue Grass Belmont Stakes. Although not favored, his recent pace figures place him in a position to contend, provided his timing and traffic positioning hold up in betting trends. He’ll need a well-managed trip from his jockey, especially in the middle stages of the race.

Citizen Bull is another contender receiving quite attention. His 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile win adds credibility, especially with how that race was run against a deep field. The challenge now is whether his two-year-old form will carry over to this longer stretch against fresh competition.

The story around Journalism is different. As the favorite, he’s shown consistency and has clocked some of the strongest final fractions in the prep season. His ability to stay clear of traffic and make a strong move at the turn could be key. However, favorites carry added pressure, and even minor setbacks can open the door for others.

While the final post positions won’t be set until later in Derby week, current odds and recent results offer enough for bettors to begin organizing early bets. Horses priced between 8-1 and 20-1 often hold value in exacta or trifecta boxes, especially if they’ve proven their staying power in earlier races.

NBC will provide full race-day coverage, including pre-race analysis and updates. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is expected in the early evening. Until then, horses will continue training at Churchill Downs, and updates on workouts, jockey assignments, and final entries will likely cause odds to shift slightly.

Bettors are closely watching the futures market, track conditions, and gate draws ahead of the Belmont Stakes. Expert picks from Jody Demling are helping many build their tickets with a mix of data and experience. Mystik Dan is emerging as a potential longshot, drawing attention for his solid prep performances. With the unpredictable nature of the race, horses like him could offer value, especially for those tracking betting trends.