Striking gray 3-year-old racehorse Sandman ill be one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve May 3 at Churchill Downs. That alone means Sandman will be the subject of intense media coverage leading up to the first jewel of the Triple Crown.
A Day in the Life of a Kentucky Derby Horse
The Churchill Downs backside comes to life a few weeks before the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. While horses are stabled there nine months out of the year, some extra special ones call the backside their home in the weeks leading up to the Derby.
Meet the Jockeys of the 2025 Kentucky Derby
Winning the Kentucky Derby is the goal of any Thoroughbred jockey due to several factors. First, it’s the most famous and prestigious race in the world, and that’s enough for most riders. Second, it presents a challenge unlike any other race, requiring a jockey to navigate his horse 1 ¼ miles among a field with up to 19 opponents and in front of about 150,000 screaming fans. And, oh yeah, third: the victorious Kentucky Derby jockey will receive approximately 10% of the winner’s share of the purse, or $310,000 out of $3.1 million (from the total purse of $5 million this year).
Robin Goodfellow’s racing tips: Best bets for Friday, April 25
Mail Sport's racing expert Robin Goodfellow delivers his tips for Friday's meetings at Sandown, Perth, Doncaster, Chepstow, and Fontwell.
