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The "greatest two minutes in sports" is back. The Kentucky Derby is the first big horse race of the season, with the winner tasked with trying to achieve the elusive Triple Crown.
This year's Derby will also be notable because it's the first event in three years that will feature owner Bob Baffert. One of his horses, Medina Spirit, failed a drug test after the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
Baffert was initially suspended for two years, and Medina Spirit died during training seven months later. Two months after the death, Medina Spirit was stripped of its Derby win. Baffert protested, saying he hadn't done anything wrong, so Churchill Downs responded by suspending him for another year for continuing to "peddle a false narrative."
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Baffert is now eligible to return to Churchill Downs and is doing so in a big way. Here is more information about Baffert's horse in the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
Bob Baffert horse in Kentucky Derby
Citizen Bull
Citizen Bull is a bay colt who has taken the horse racing scene by storm. The horse has competed in four races, won three of them and already earned over $1.3 million. From the Kentucky Derby website: "Here's a colt who's won from different posts, handled fast tracks with aplomb and shown tactical versatility. The Triple Crown trail beckons, and Citizen Bull has already proven he's got the tools to answer the call."
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) November 2, 2024MORE: Fast facts to know before you pick a winner for Triple Crown race
Rodriguez
Rodriguez was originally slated to run in the 2025 Derby, he was scratched on Thursday leading up to the event. Despite being early in his racing career, he won the nine-furlong Wood Memorial (G2) by an impressive 3 1/2 lengths. Rodriguez has earned $476,000 so far in his career.
From the Kentucky Derby website: "The dark bay colt's recent works at Santa Anita have been particularly sharp, including multiple five-furlong moves in 0:59 and change and a slightly slower drill in 1:00.20 on April 20. His morning drills suggest he’s maintaining his form while building stamina. With his proven ability to handle nine furlongs and a running style that should suit the Derby's demands. Rodriguez appears poised to handle the classic distance."
Rodriguez ships to New York and goes gate-to-wire in the Wood Memorial, picking up 100 Kentucky Derby points! 🌹
Bob Baffert trains and Mike Smith was in the irons. pic.twitter.com/D1k2GG3zxR
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Kentucky Derby odds
Here are the odds to win the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
| Post Position | Horse | Odds |
| 1. | Citizen Bull | 20-1 |
| 2. | Neoequos | 30-1 |
| 3. | Final Gambit | 30-1 |
| 4. | American Promise | 30-1 |
| 5. | Admire Daytona | 30-1 |
| 6. | Luxor Cafe | 15-1 |
| 7. | Journalism | 3-1 |
| 8. | Burnham Square | 12-1 |
| 9. | Grande | 10-1 |
| 10. | Flying Mohawk | 30-1 |
| 11. | East Avenue | 20-1 |
| 12. | Publisher | 20-1 |
| 13. | Tiztastic | 20-1 |
| 14. | Render Judgment | 30-1 |
| 15. | Coal Battle | 30-1 |
| 16. | Sandman | 6-1 |
| 17. | Sovereignty | 5-1 |
| 18. | Chunk of Gold | 30-1 |
| 19. | Owen Almighty | 30-1 |
| 20. | Baeza* | 12-1* |
*Baeza was added to the field after Rodriguez was scratched on Thursday
MORE: Who will win the Kentucky Derby? Horses, odds, expert picks and more
How many times has Bob Baffert won the Kentucky Derby?
Baffert has won the Kentucky Derby an impressive six times. It would have been seven if Medina Spirit hadn't been stripped of his win.
Here are Baffert's horses that have won the Kentucky Derby.
| Year | Horse |
| 1997 | Silver Charm |
| 1998 | Real Quiet |
| 2002 | War Emblem |
| 2015 | American Pharoah |
| 2018 | Justify |
| 2020 | Authentic |
| 2021* | Medina Spirit |
*Indicates vacated win.
MORE: Where is Churchill Downs? Location, capacity and more Kentucky Derby track details
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