For the 2025 Kentucky Derby, the current favorite to bet on is the horse named Journalism , with odds around 3-1 to win. Journalism has a strong recent performance record, including a four-race winning streak leading up to the Derby, making it the top pick among experts and bettors

. Other notable contenders with favorable odds include:

• Sandman at about 5-1 odds
• Sovereignty at roughly 9-2 odds
• Rodriguez at around 6-1 odds
• Citizen Bull , trained by Bob Baffert, also draws attention though with longer odds near 13-1

The Kentucky Derby is known for its unpredictability, with longshots occasionally winning, so some bettors consider including horses with longer odds for potential higher payouts. However, Journalism stands out as the most reliable favorite based on current expert analysis and betting trends

. If you want expert recommended horses beyond just the favorite, some picks include Good Cheer, Quietside, Simply Joking, and Tenma, among others

. In summary, betting on Journalism is the most advised choice for the 2025 Kentucky Derby based on current odds and expert opinion, but considering a few strong contenders or longshots could add value depending on your betting strategy