Kentucky Derby 2025: Parlay Tips For The Races

There are few more exciting sporting events on the calendar than the Kentucky Derby. The first Saturday in May signals the start of the Triple Crown in the U.S., as horses aged three look to follow in the footsteps of American Pharoah, Justify, and Secretariat, and put their names into the history books. 

Betting on the Derby is exceptionally popular, with many looking to wager online on the moneyline and place markets. 

Exotics are also exceptionally popular, and they could be very lucrative if predicting the first two or three runners’ home at Churchill Downs. 

However, parlays can also be created surrounding the Derby, as bettors can include the winner of the opening leg of the Triple Crown alongside winners of other races to maximise their returns. 

But, which horses could be wise selections in a Derby parlay, and which other races could be included?

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Derby Contenders

Journalism

Michael McCarthy-trained Journalism will be a red-hot contender for the Derby this year, especially if he can claim success in the important G1 Santa Anita Derby in early April. 

The three-year-old by Curlin has been in excellent form on track since breaking his maiden in December. He continued to enhance his Derby credentials with a win in the G2 San Felipe Stakes in March, beating Barnes by over a length. 

Citizen Bull

Despite being second favorite in the betting, it could still be argued that Citizen Bull is going under the radar in the Derby picture this year. The three-year-old was a dominant winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year, winning on three of his four starts as a two-year-old. 

His progression has continued in 2025, winning on his return to the track in dominant fashion at Santa Anita when finishing three lengths clear of Rodriguez in the G3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes. Dangerous contender from the respected Bob Baffert stable. 

Sovereignty

You’d have to be a very forgiving person to trust Sovereignty to bounce back to winning ways in the Derby this year. The William Mott runner was a well-backed favorite in the G1 Florida Derby on his latest start, but he could only finish within two lengths of Tappan Street. 

Prior to that, he looked like a serious Triple Crown contender, winning at Churchill Downs in October, before beating River Thames by a neck in the G2 Fountain of Youth. But, he now has questions to answer. 

Oaks Derby Double

A popular parlay option for many bettors across the first weekend in May will revolve around predicting the winners of both major races at Churchill Downs. 

The Kentucky Oaks will kick off the major weekend in the U.S., but which fillies could be serious contenders? You can check the whole list up to date here: twinspires.com/kentucky-oaks/contenders/

Good Cheer

Brad Cox looks to have a very special filly on his hands this season, and Good Cheer looks like the runner to beat in the Oaks. The three-year-old boasts a perfect record after winning on all six of her career starts, and she is already a four-time winner in stakes company. 

Her rock-solid Oaks credentials were enhanced following a dominant three-length win over Avavah in the G2 Fair Ground Oaks in late March. 

Simply Joking

D. Whitworth Beckman could hold a very solid chance in the Oaks this year, as Simply Joking has already shown her quality on track. 

She was the winner of the Silverbulletday Stakes in January, and plenty of positives can be taken from her finishing effort when narrowly touched off by Quietside in the G2 Fantasy Stakes. Worth her chance at a bigger price. 

2,000 Guineas-Derby Double

The Kentucky Derby isn’t the only major race taking place on the first Saturday in May, as the British Classic season also kicks off at Newmarket. The 2,000 Guineas is the shortest of the British Classics, with colts covering a distance of a mile. 

Bettors could look to combine the winners of the 2,000 Guineas and Derby when making parlay selections. But, which runners could feature in the race at Newmarket?

Twain

Aidan O’Brien has endured some setbacks for his plans for the opening Classic of the season in the UK, but the Irish maestro has admitted that Twain could be a leading hope. 

The three-year-old has won on both of his starts on the turf, and he was last seen winning over a mile on heavy ground at Salisbury when beating Mount Kilimanjaro by over a length. However, his chances could be dependent on ground conditions on the day. 

Shadow of Light
 

It could be argued that the horse with the strongest credentials at this stage comes from the Charlie Appleby yard. Shadow Of Light is by Lope De Vega, and has won four from five career starts. 

Since being touched off by Cool Hoof Luke in the G2 Gimcrack, he has won twice at Newmarket. The latest of those was a battling display to beat Expanded in the G1 Dewhurst. It could be hard to overlook the fact that he boasts a perfect record at Newmarket. 

I (AKA CatBurg) have a lifelong passion for sports, especially football and basketball. I enjoy the thrill and excitement of sports betting and everything in between. My teams are (Packers #GoPackGo) and who I am betting on!