Who are the fastest horses for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby?

John Clay, Lexington Herald-Leader on Apr 25, 2025

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — When you figure in racetrack conditions, traffic issues, weather and post positions, there is more than just speed that goes into the making of a Kentucky Derby winner.

Still, speed is a definite requirement. So with that in mind, who are the fastest horses for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs?

Eleven of the expected entrants in the 20-horse field have run at least one triple-digit Equibase speed figure in their racing careers to this point. Six have posted 100-plus Equibase figures in multiple races.

Trained by six-time Derby winner Bob Baffert, Rodriguez has posted the fastest Equibase figure, recording a 111 for his victory in the Wood Memorial on April 5 in New York.

In fact, Rodriguez has topped the 100-mark three times. He ran a 105 in a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita on Jan. 4. He then ran a 101 in finishing second to Citizen Bull by 3 3/4 lengths in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 1 at Santa Anita. He slipped to a 92 rating when running third at the San Felipe at Santa Anita on March 1 before his Wood Memorial win.

Santa Anita Derby winner Journalism ran a 110 in his win in the San Felipe before running a 108 in his victory in the Santa Anita Derby on April 5 for trainer Michael McCarthy.

Two-year-old champion Citizen Bull ran a 106 while winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year, then followed with a 107 in winning the Robert B. Lewis for Baffert. Citizen Bull ran fourth in the Santa Anita Derby where he received a 94 Equibase speed figure.

Trained by two-time Derby winner Todd Pletcher, Grande earned a 106 for his second-place finish in the Wood Memorial. It was just the third career race for the son of Curlin, who is owned by Mike Repole.

Sandman posted a 104 Equibase rating for his win in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn on March 29. Trained by Mark Casse, the son of Tapit has hit the 100-mark three times. He posted a 100 in a second-place finish in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn on Jan. 25, then a 101 in his third-place finish in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn on Feb. 23.

Trained by Lonnie Briley, Coal Battle earned a 104 rating for his win in the Rebel Stakes. The son of Coal Front slipped to a 94 while finishing third in the Arkansas Derby.

Blue Grass Stakes winner Burnham Square recorded a 104 Equibase speed figure for his win at Keeneland on April 5. He had run a 93 with a fourth-place finish in the Fountain of Youth Stakes on March 1 at Gulfstream.

In losing the Blue Grass by a nose, East Avenue also earned a 104 Equibase speed rating for trainer Brendan P. Walsh. East Avenue was coming off a 10th-place finish — and a 71 Equibase rating — in the Risen Star at the Fair Grounds.

Trained by four-time Kentucky Derby winner D. Wayne Lukas, American Promise earned a 101 Equibase rating for his Virginia Derby win on March 15. American Promise ran a 102 in breaking his maiden on Dec. 21, 2024.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Publisher gained a 100 Equibase rating for his second-place finish in the Arkansas Derby. He also ran a 100 when breaking his maiden at Oaklawn Park on Dec. 29, 2024.

Built earned a 103 Equibase speed figure for his win in the Gun Runner Stakes on Dec. 21, 2024, at the Fair Grounds. Trained by Wayne Catalano, Built has not come close to that since, posting an 85 in the Lecomte Stakes, a 91 in the Risen Star and an 88 in the Louisiana Derby.

Note: This compilation does not include the two Japanese horses expected to be in the race — Luxor Cafe and Admire Daytona. Neither horse has raced in the United States and thus does not have an Equibase speed figure.