ODDS: 5-1

PERSONALITY: Tactical stalker with strong finishing punch. Morning‑line favorite despite drawing the rail, a historically challenging post that demands a clean break and ground‑saving trip.

TRAINER: Irad Ortiz Jr.

ODDS: 6-1

PERSONALITY: Classy stalker with grit and professionalism. He has won four straight and showed determination in both Florida preps, but the Derby’s added distance and large field will be his biggest test yet

TRAINER: Brad Cox

ODDS: 6-1

PERSONALITY: Powerful stalker coming off a dominant Blue Grass victory. He has won at Churchill Downs and brings a strong stamina profile, making him one of the more serious contenders.

TRAINER: Brad Cox

ODDS: 8-1

PERSONALITY: A lightly raced stalker with upside and professionalism. He has been competitive against top Florida-based rivals and may still have more improvement to show with experience.

TRAINER: Bill Mott

ODDS: 10-1

PERSONALITY: Consistent stalker who keeps improving and fights hard through the stretch. He narrowly missed in the Florida Derby and brings connections who know how to prepare for the Derby stage.

TRAINER: Gustavo Delgado

ODDS: 15-1

PERSONALITY: Talented West Coast pace-presser with sharp tactical speed. His Santa Anita Derby win proved he can stretch out, and Mike Smith adds calm, experience, and big-race confidence.

TRAINER: Mark Glatt

ODDS: 15-1

PERSONALITY: A lightly raced but unbeaten stalker with major upside. He lacks experience, but his Louisiana Derby win showed poise, stamina, and the ability to fight through a long stretch drive.

TRAINER: Chad Brown

ODDS: 20-1

PERSONALITY: An unbeaten Kentucky-bred colt representing Japan on the Derby stage. He has shown talent and professionalism overseas, but now faces a much deeper field at Churchill Downs.

TRAINER: Manabu Ikezoe

ODDS: 20-1

PERSONALITY:

A stalker with proven Churchill Downs success and a strong rebound win in the Virginia Derby. He has stamina questions compared with some top rivals, but his best efforts make him an intriguing outsider.

TRAINER: Manabu Ikezoe

ODDS: 20-1

PERSONALITY:

A tactical pace-presser who can sit close without needing the lead. He has shown class in California and could get a favorable trip if he settles just behind the early speed.

TRAINER: Bob Baffert

ODDS: 30-1

PERSONALITY: A late-developing stalker who took a major step forward this spring. His Wood Memorial win earned him a Derby spot, but he will need another jump forward against a deeper and faster field.

TRAINER: Riley Mott

ODDS: 30-1

PERSONALITY: Pace-pressing colt with high-profile connections and plenty of experience. His best races make him interesting, but needs much sharper effort than his Arkansas Derby to be a serious factor.

TRAINER: Bob Baffert

ODDS: 30-1

PERSONALITY: Japan-bred closer with proven international travel and a strong UAE Derby finish. Has already handled a long-distance dirt prep, but Churchill Downs will be a new and much deeper challenge.

TRAINER: Daisuke Takayanagi

ODDS: 30-1

PERSONALITY: An experienced California-bred who has improved since changing tactics. He is likely to be part of the early pace and will try to carry that speed as far as possible.

TRAINER: Doug F.O'Neill

ODDS: 30-1

PERSONALITY: Late-running closer with strong stamina pedigree and consistent Fair Grounds form. He will need pace and a clean trip, but he is the kind of horse who could keep passing tired rivals late.

TRAINER: Cherie DeVaux

ODDS: 50-1

PERSONALITY: A forwardly placed stalker with proven graded-stakes talent. His best chance is to stay close early, avoid traffic, and rebound from his recent Santa Anita Derby effort.

TRAINER: Jeff Mullins

ODDS: 50-1

PERSONALITY: Natural pace factor who has been prominent early in every start. He brings international experience and stamina-oriented breeding, but must handle a faster and deeper American Derby field.

TRAINER: Bhupat Seemar

ODDS: 50-1

PERSONALITY: Closer who is still seeking his first career win but has shown the ability to hit the board. He needs a perfect pace setup and racing luck, but his late-running style gives him a chance topass tiring horses.

TRAINER: Whit Beckman

ODDS: 50-1

PERSONALITY: A pace-pressing longshot who nearly upset the San Felipe before fading in the Santa Anita Derby. He has the pedigree to handle distance, but will need a major rebound and a clean trip to outrun his odds.

TRAINER: Doug O’Neill

ODDS: 50-1

PERSONALITY: Striking gray gelding who earned his way through the Turfway Park route. His Blue Grass effort was a step back, but he may return to a stalking style and try to pick off tired horses late.

TRAINER: John Ennis