• Trainer Todd Pletcher has saddled a horse in every Kentucky Derby since 2004
• Bob Baffert trainee Rodriguez is a top contender in the Wood Memorial

Todd Pletcher has saddled at least one horse in the Kentucky Derby every year since 2004, but he’s running out of time to find a qualifier in 2025.

His best chance may come in Saturday’s $750,000, Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.

The Pletcher-trained Grande will be among the top contenders despite a light racing resume.

A son of Curlin, Grande is 2 for 2 in his career, with both races coming at Gulfstream Park. He most recently won a 1 1/8-mile allowance optional claiming race Feb. 27.

A $300,000 purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Grande drew the No. 7 post position in a field of 12 for the Wood.

The Wood will offer 200 qualifying points toward the May 3 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, including 100 to the winner.

Pletcher has won the Kentucky Derby twice — 2010 with Super Saver and 2017 with Always Dreaming. He’s saddled a record 65 horses in the Derby since his first appearance in 2000.

Currently, Pletcher’s top horse on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, River Thames, ranks No. 28. River Thames is expected to run in Saturday’s Blue Grass at Keeneland.

Another top contender in the Wood will be Bob Baffert trainee Rodriguez, who enters off a third-place finish in the Grade 2 San Felipe on March 1 at Santa Anita Park.

The morning line for the Wood has not yet been announced.

This story will be updated.

Post time: TBA Saturday at Aqueduct in South Ozone Park, N.Y. Purse: $750,000. Grade: 2. Distance: 1 1/8 miles. TV: FOX. Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 100 for first place, 50 for second place, 25 for third place, 15 for fourth place, 10 for fifth place.

PP Horse, jockey, trainer, odds TBA

1. Rodriguez, Mike Smith, Bob Baffert

2. Captain Cook, Manny Franco, Rick Dutrow Jr.

3. Tiger Twenty Four, Javier Castellano, Bill Mott

4. My Mitole, Luis Rivera Jr., Carlos Martin

5. Sand Devil, Jose Lezcano, Linda Rice

6. Hill Road, Joel Rosario, Chad Brown

7. Grande, Dylan Davis, Todd Pletcher

8. Passion Rules, Kendrick Carmouche, Brad Cox

9. Bear Claw Necklace, Romero Maragh, Saffie Joseph Jr.

10. Mcafee, Eric Cancel, Rick Dutrow Jr.

11. Statesman, Samuel Marin, Shug McGaughey

12. Omaha Omaha, Raul Mena, Michael Gorham

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.

More horse racing: Which horses are in or on bubble for 2025 Kentucky Derby?

Last May, NBC Sports announced a partnership with Churchill Downs to present the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032.

The extension includes multiplatform rights to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Derby and Oaks Day programming, which will be presented on NBC, Peacock, USA Network and additional NBCU platforms.

You can stream the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Fubo and Peacock.

While not yet official, the post time for the 151st Kentucky Derby will be about 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.  

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More horse racing: Which horses are in or on bubble for Kentucky Derby on May 3?

The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Saturday, March 29, 2025 winning numbers for each game

Cash Ball

01-06-10-32, Cash Ball: 17

Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.

Lucky For Life

04-08-13-18-41, Lucky Ball: 12

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

Evening: 9-3-6

Midday: 4-0-2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Evening: 9-2-5-5

Midday: 0-1-3-1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Powerball

07-11-21-53-61, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Powerball Double Play

07-11-14-26-59, Powerball: 10

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form. Our News Automation and AI team would love to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us.

• Tappan Street, a son of Into Mischief, clinched 100 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby

Louisville trainer Brad Cox picked up his first Florida Derby victory and found another contender for the Kentucky Derby.

Tappan Street made a five-wide move off the final turn and raced to a 1 ½-length victory in Saturday’s $1 million, Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.

Ridden by Luis Saez, Tappan Street covered the 1 ⅛ miles in 1:49.27 and paid $6.80 to win on a $2 wager.

“Hopefully this is a big step forward for this colt,” Cox said. “I’m proud of the performance. … He’s got a great mind, knows how to turn it on and off. I think the best is yet to come. Obviously, the Kentucky Derby is the main goal.”

Tappan Street earned 100 qualifying points for the May 3 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, virtually assuring himself in a field limited to 20 runners.

Sovereignty, the 8-5 favorite, finished second and was followed by Neoequos and Madaket Road.

Madaket Road, the Bob Baffert trainee ridden by Mike Smith, set fractions of 23.37 seconds for the quarter-mile, 47.22 seconds for the half-mile and 1:11.61 for three-quarters before fading.

A son of Into Mischief, Tappan Street improved to 2-1-0 in three career starts. He entered off a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes on Feb. 1.

A $1 million purchase at the 2023 New York Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, Tappan Street is co-owned by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and Cold Press Racing.

Better Derby Betting: Want to learn how to bet on the 2025 Kentucky Derby? Get tickets to Better Derby Betting

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.