Kentucky Derby 2025 scouting report: Midwest-Southwest

Since the first edition of the Midwest-Southwest division of the 2025 Kentucky Derby scouting report was issued last month, a pair of points preps were run at Oaklawn. Coal Battle became a two-time winner on the Derby trail when he won the Smarty Jones. That increased his point total to 20, which puts him in third-place on the Derby leaderboard. Speed King won the Grade 3 Southwest on Saturday moving him into second position with 25 points.

Eight horses were added to update this Derby scouting report, and two of them raced at Oaklawn for trainer Mark Casse.

This division includes Derby prep races that are run in Kentucky, Arkansas and Oklahoma. That means stakes at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Turfway Park, Oaklawn and Remington Park.

The following alphabetical list shows each horse with his odds at Caesars Sportsbook in Nevada, Kentucky Derby Future Wager odds from pool 3 last week, sire, trainer, ownership, most recent race, overall record, earnings, any Derby qualifying points earned and a summary comment.

Brodeur. Caesars 90-1, KDFW3 4-1 (all others), Nyquist, Mark Casse, D. J. Stables, 1st OC allowance at Oaklawn, 3: 2-0-0, $145,278. 0 Derby points. Won a two-turn allowance at Oaklawn on Saturday.

Coal Battle. Caesars 55-1, KDFW3 46-1, Coal Front, Lonnie Briley, Norman Stables, 1st Smarty Jones at Oaklawn, 6: 4-0-0, $453,875. 20 Derby points. Two-time Derby trail winner has returned to the work tab at Delta Downs.

Ferocious. Caesars 45-1, KDFW3 46-1, Flatter, Gustavo Delgado, JR Ranch et al., 5th Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, 4: 1-2-0, $287,500. 8 Derby points. Entered in Saturday’s Holy Bull (G3).

First Resort. Caesars 45-1, KDFW3 49-1, Uncle Mo, Eoin Harty, Godolphin, 1st Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill, 4: 2-1-0, $338,671. 10 Derby points. Derby trail winner returned to training at Turfway Park.

Innovator. Caesars 60-1, KDFW3 46-1, Authentic, D. Wayne Lukas, BC Stables, 3rd Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds, 8: 1-4-1, $197,555. 6 Derby points.  Lots of racing experience.

Jonathan’s Way. Caesars 45-1, KDFW3 49-1, Vekoma, Phil Bauer, Rigney Racing, 2nd Kentucky Jockey Club, 4: 2-1-0, $268,530. 15 Derby points.  Derby trail winner is working at Fair Grounds.

Kale’s Angel. Caesars 125-1, KDFW3 - 4-1 (all others), Complexity, Peter Miller, Tom Kagele and Ernest Marchosky, 1st Renaissance Stakes at Oaklawn, 7: 3-0-1, $249,625. 3 Derby points. Recent stakes winner at Oaklawn.

Keep It Easy. Caesars 60-1, KDFW3 46-1, Hard Spun, Dale Romans, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, CJ Stables, 1st Ed Brown at Churchill Downs, 4: 2-0-0, $207,671. 0 Derby points.  Stakes winner at Churchill. Working at Gulfstream Park.

Mo Quality. Caesars 55-1, KDFW3 46-1, Mo Town, Chris Davis, Walmac Farm, 2nd Smarty Jones at Oaklawn, 3: 1-2-0, $136,250. 5 Derby points. Training at Turfway Park.

Patch Adams. Caesars 33-1, KDFW3 12-1, Into Mischief, Brad Cox, CHC, Siena Farms and WinStar Farm, 4th Southwest at Oaklawn, 3: 1-0-1, $132,125. 4 Derby points. Troubled trip in the Southwest as the favorite.

Render Judgment. Caesars 55-1, KDFW3 4-1, Blame, Kenny McPeek, Baccari Racing Stable et al., 3rd Gun Runner at Fair Grounds, 4: 1-1-1, $109,110. 4 Derby points. Missed the Southwest with a foot injury.

Sandman. Caesars 40-1, KDFW3 59-1, Tapit, Mark Casse, D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, CJ Stables, 2nd Southwest, 6: 2-1-1, $344,595. 14 Derby points. Broke in a tangle and ran second in the Southwest.

Smoken Wicked. Caesars 55-1, KDFW3 4-1 (all others), Bobby’s Wicked One, Dallas Stewart, Valerie Farms, 1st Louisiana Futurity at Fair Grounds, 8: 4-1-1, $307,542. 2 Derby points. Returned to training this month.

Sovereignty. Caesars 18-1, KDFW3 21-1, Into Mischief, Bill Mott, Godolphin, 1st Street Sense (G3) at Churchill, 3: 1-1-0, $143,280. 10 Derby points. Derby trail winner has one workout in Florida.

Speed King. Caesars 50-1, KDFW3 4-1 (all others), Volatile, Ron Moquett, Triton Thoroughbreds, 1st Southwest, 3: 2-1-0, $669,000. 25 Derby points. Second on Derby points leaderboard.

Tiztastic. Caesars 90-1, KDFW3 103-1, Tiz the Law, Steve Asmussen, Winchell Thoroughbreds and Coolmore, 3rd Southwest, 6: 2-1-2, $909,800. 14 Derby points. He has a second and a pair of thirds on the Derby trail.

Remaining midwest and southwest division preps

John Battaglia, Turfway Park, Feb. 22, 20-10-6-4-2

Rebel (G3), Oaklawn, Feb. 22, 50-25-15-10-5

Jeff Ruby (G3), Turfway Park, March 22, 100-50-25-15-10

Arkansas Derby (G1), Oaklawn, March 29, 100-50-25-15-10

Blue Grass (G1), Keeneland, April 5, 100-50-25-15-10

Lexington (G3), Keeneland, April 12, 20-10-6-4-2