The 2025 Kentucky Derby has a field of 19 horses competing. Originally, there were 21 qualifiers, but two horses, Rodriguez and Grande, were scratched, reducing the field to 19 starters

. The Derby traditionally limits the field to a maximum of 20 horses since 1975, and this year’s field is just under that limit with 19 runners

. Here are some details about the 2025 Kentucky Derby field:

• Total horses: 19
• Maximum allowed: 20
• Notable horses include Journalism (#8), the current favorite, and last year’s champion Mystik Dan, who started from post #3

Thus, the Kentucky Derby 2025 will feature 19 horses racing at Churchill Downs.