Japanese-based colt most recently won the UAE Derby in Dubai by a nose. Back home, he twice finished behind expected Kentucky Derby rival Luxor Cafe (nose, 3-1/4 length margins). Sire (father) Drefong was a Champion Sprinter in the US.

Romping winner of the Virginia Derby in mid-March for 4-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Lukas, who is just a few months shy of his 90th birthday. Lost his first 5 starts, including 3 at Churchill Downs. This is a son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify who could contend for the early lead.

Santa Anita Derby runner-up has a Triple Crown legacy pedigree. Dam, Puca, already produced 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage and 2024 Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch. Did not win for the first time until a Valentine's Day maiden race in his third start, but has improved rapidly. Shirreffs orchestrated 50-1 Giacomo to upset the 2005 Kentucky Derby and managed the legendary mare Zenyatta.

Nose winner of the Blue Grass at Keeneland in the final jump to nab East Avenue, he completed an up-and-down spring on a positive note. Holy Bull winner was disappointing fourth in the Fountain of Youth as the favorite before exiting Florida. Debuted for a $150,000 claiming tag last October at Keeneland but has earned just shy of $1M. Trainer Wilkes seeks first Derby, but was assistant for Unbridled (1990) and Street Sense (2007). This gelding is a great-grandson to Unbridled.

Rags to riches chance for this $2,500 yearling purchase who exits runner-up bids in the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds (43-1, 10-1 odds). First Derby starter for trainer West, while jockey Loverberry nearly captured the 2023 roses with runner-up Two Phil's. Could become least-expensive Derby-winning auction buy since Canonero II (1971), who cost just $1,200.

The 2024 Champion 2-Year-Old Male saw his 3-race winning streak snapped when tiring to fourth last out in the Santa Anita Derby. Committed front-runner's 2 losses have come when forced out of his comfort zone. Jockey-Trainer teamed to win 2010 Preakness (Lookin At Lucky). Sire responsible for 2020-'21 Derby winners Authentic and Mandaloun. 21 Champion 2YOs have won the Derby, most recently Nyquist (2016).

Mid-South star emerged from the small tracks in Louisiana to become a horse-of-a-lifetime for trainer Briley. Oaklawn's Rebel winner and Arkansas Derby third-place finisher has earned more purse money than Briley's combined first 15 years of his career, which began in 1991. Coal Battle also has stakes wins at Evangeline Downs, Delta Downs & Remington Park as a regional favorite. First Kentucky Derby for trainer and jockey.

Potential Derby pacemaker has been wildly inconsistent, but his nose runner-up in the Blue Grass Stakes last time got him back in the Derby picture after a mystifyingly poor 3YO debut in New Orleans. Son of 2002 Derby fourth-place finisher Medaglia d'Oro, who is best known as a sire for 2009 Kentucky Oaks-Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra.

Late-running, 15-1 upsetter of Turfway's Jeff Ruby has uncorked wild late rallies to win his last 2 starts on the synthetic surface in Northern Kentucky. The Derby will be his first attempt on dirt. Turfway Park leading jockey Machado lands his first Derby mount. Owner-breeder Juddmonte Farm won January's Lecomte with Disco Time, who has since been sidelined, and got here instead with this late bloomer.

Runner-up on Turfway's synthetic surface in the Jeff Ruby, this son of Breeders' Cup Mile (turf) winner Karakontie has never raced on a dirt surface. Trainer Beckman made his Derby debut last year (Honor Marie, 8th) and jockey Ramos gets his first Derby mount.

Wood Memorial runner-up is the least experienced member of this year's field with only 3 starts, though a resume similar to '23 Derby winner Mage. Sire Curlin was third in the 2007 Run for the Roses before winning the Preakness. Wide trip in the Wood Memorial when chasing loose-leading Rodriguez. Jockey-Trainer teamed to win '17 Derby (Always Dreaming).

The Kentucky Derby Future Wager betting favorite rides a 4-race winning streak over 3 different Southern California surfaces, most recently the Santa Anita Derby. This will be his first true road trip for Preakness-winning trainer McCarthy, who seeks his first Derby. Son of 2007 Derby third-place finisher and Preakness winner Curlin has been a strong finisher from stalking positions and has yet to lose at a mile or longer.

Japanese-based colt has been on a tear winning 4 in a row and teams with world-renowned Brazilian jockey Moreira for his first Kentucky Derby mount. Son of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah has an impressive late explosion.-- Photo Courtesy: Yuki Shimono // Kentuckyderby.com

Florida Derby and Fountain of Youth third-place finisher has been a consistent performer from distances ranging from 5 to 9 furlongs. Made the lead in both Gulfstream signature races at some stage only to come up short in the stretch. 6 Florida-breds have won the Kentucky Derby, but not since Silver Charm in 1997.

Tampa Bay Derby winner had crossed the wire first or second in all 5 starts until tiring in the final sixteenth of a mile of the Blue Grass Stakes last time out. Expected member of the early pace discussion has yet to win beyond 1-1/16 miles. Son of champion sprinter Speightstown, who has sired 10F Travers and Jockey Club Gold Cup winners.

Although winless in 7 starts (known as a 'maiden' until a horse wins a race), the Arkansas Derby runner-up earned his way to Louisville with a closing kick from deep in the pack. Renowned trainer & jockey arguably both the 'best to never win a Derby' among their active peers. Son of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah has Derby runner-ups as maternal & paternal grandparents. Last maiden to win the Derby was Broker's Tip (1933).

Virginia Derby runner-up managed only a fifth-place finish in his Blue Grass Stakes follow-up bid. Trainer McPeek won last year's Kentucky Derby with Mystik Dan (last trainer to win back-to-back was Bob Baffert in 1997-1998). Sire Blame beat the previously unbeaten Zenyatta over 1-1/4 miles at Churchill in the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic.

Wire-to-wire winner of the Wood Memorial in New York, this California-based colt arguably leaped from third string to first team for Baffert in that performance. Son of 2020 Derby winner Authentic has done his best running on the lead and should be expected to be part of the early pace. Seeks to become first Wood winner to wear the roses since Fusaichi Pegasus (2000) and first alum of that race since Funny Cide (2003).

Deep-closing winner of the Arkansas Derby made 4 starts at Oaklawn this winter and saved his best for last after some troubled trips. Preakness and Belmont-winning trainer Casse seeks his first Kentucky Derby score. Struggled in 3 starts at Churchill Downs as a 2YO, including a 5+ length defeat to Derby rival Sovereignty among those. $1.2M colt by super sire Tapit looks to give that one his elusive first Derby winner.

Signalled his Derby candidacy in October at Churchill Downs with a Street Sense victory over eventual Louisiana Derby winner Tiztastic and eventual Arkansas Derby winner Sandman. Scored Gulfstream's Fountain of Youth in his 3YO return and was runner-up as favorite in the Florida Derby most recently. Owner Godolphin has won the world's biggest races, and seeks its first Derby (also with East Avenue). Jockey Alvarado missed the Florida Derby with a shoulder injury.

Leads all '25 Kentucky Derby prospects in career earnings ($1.5M) on the strength of victories in the Louisiana Derby most recently and last September's rich Juvenile Mile at Kentucky Downs on turf. Late-runner has second and third-place finishes in Churchill Downs stakes on his ledger. Son of 2020 Belmont winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Tiz the Law. All-time North American wins leader Asmussen aims for his first Derby training score.