Horse names in the 2025 Kentucky Derby will garner considerable attention and there are two contenders whose names begin with “S.” That’s notable because the names of 19 Kentucky Derby winners have started with the letter “S,” six more than any other letter. Those two in the 2025 Kentucky Derby field are Sandman and Sovereignty, and they are two of the biggest 2025 Kentucky Derby favorites in the Saturday, May 3 race from Churchill Downs. Both colts are at 8-1 in the latest 2025 Kentucky Derby odds, trailing only the favorite, Journalism (3-1).
In case you’re wondering, five horses whose names begin with “J” have prevailed, the last being Triple Crown winner, Justify, in 2018. Outside of horse names, what other information should influence which 2025 Kentucky Derby horses you target? The 2025 Kentucky Derby post draw is on Saturday, April 26. Before making any 2025 Kentucky Derby picks, you’ll want to see what SportsLine horse racing expert Gene Menez has to say before making any 2025 Kentucky Derby picks or horse racing predictions.
A former reporter and editor at Sports Illustrated, Menez covered an array of sports, including horse racing, for the magazine and its website for almost 14 years. Between 2010 and 2012, he served as SI’s handicapper for the Triple Crown races and correctly predicted Super Saver to win the Kentucky Derby in 2010.
In 2015, Menez accurately gave out the Kentucky Derby superfecta, which paid $1,268.20 for $2. In 2017, he tweeted out his Kentucky Derby picks, including Always Dreaming to win, and hit the Pick 4, which paid almost $6,900 on a $1 bet.
In May of last year, Menez nailed 18-1 Mystik Dan as a live longshot in the Kentucky Derby. In November, he crushed the late Pick 4 on Breeders’ Cup Saturday for a $5,303 jackpot. This year, he hit the winner and exacta in the Holy Bull Stakes and the winner, trifecta and superfecta in the Florida Derby.
For the Run for the Roses, Menez has handicapped the 2025 Kentucky Derby field, made his picks and constructed his best bets. You can head to SportsLine now to see them.
Top 2025 Kentucky Derby predictions
One of Menez’ surprising 2025 Kentucky Derby picks: He is fading Sandman, even though he won the Arkansas Derby and is one of the top favorites. In his previous start in the Rebel Stakes, Sandman was the post-time favorite but finished third after his customary rally couldn’t thrust him towards the front of the pack. Prior to that, the horse got off to a brutal start in the Southwest Stakes, and again tried to rally but ultimately finished as runner-up, 2 1/2 lengths back.
As those races indicate, Sandman has a closer running style. The fact that he wasn’t able to win back-to-back stakes races with that style doesn’t bode well for the Kentucky Derby, which will be even more competitive. Menez points out that closers are often dependent on a fast pace up front and could lose ground when attempting to pass. He doesn’t see Sandman finishing any better than third at Churchill Downs, telling SportsLine, “There are many closers in this year’s field who could be the victim of a slow pace or a wide trip (or both), but the one I’m against the most is Sandman.” See which 2025 Kentucky Derby horses he likes at SportsLine.
How to make 2025 Kentucky Derby bets, picks
Menez’ top pick is a horse who “is bred to only get better with the added distance.” He’s also high on a double-digit longshot who owns “the most awesome turn of foot of any of the Kentucky Derby hopefuls.” Menez is sharing who he likes over at SportsLine.
Which horse wins the Kentucky Derby 2025, and which double-digit longshot is a must-back? Check out the latest 2025 Kentucky Derby odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Menez’ picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the expert who called Mystik Dan as an 18-1 live longshot in last year’s race.