Inside Secrets to Winning Big on the 2025 Kentucky Derby and Oaks Straight Bets and Exotics at Churchill Downs

This will be a fast race. There is a lot of speed starting on the rail, and the No. 20 horse, Owen Almighty, has the quickest “early pace” in this field and has to get out to a fast start. Given Luxor Cafe’s odds, which should get higher closer to post time because no one is touting him, and his pedigree and experience in big fields, the No. 7 is my favorite bet for the Kentucky Derby. 

I’ll disclose my bias up front: I’m from Saratoga and Sandman breaking his maiden at The Spa matters to me. However, the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby winner has “hit the board” in four of his five career stakes races. The No. 17 horse beat two Kentucky Derby rivals at Arkansas and “his huge closing kick fits very well here in a race loaded with gate speed,” per the Daily Racing Form. 

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