Kentucky Derby 2025 scouting report: Midwest-southwest

The midwest-southwest division of the 2025 Kentucky Derby scouting report 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.

Since the road to the Derby began in September, 11 official points races have been run and five of them were won by 2-year-olds in this division. The Grade 3 Iroquois was the first prep, and Jonathan’s Way was the winner. East Avenue won the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland in October. Racing under the twin spires, Sovereignty got his victory in the Street Sense (G3) and First Resort in the Kentucky Jockey Club. (G2). Coal Battle was first in the Springboard Mile at Remington Park.

From the 14 horses listed in this first midwest-southwest division report, trainers Brad Cox and Brian Lynch have two horses each. Eoin Harty has two Derby prospects with First Resort in here and Poster from the east division. Into Mischief is the top sire in this report with three promising 2-year-olds.

The following alphabetical list shows each horse with his odds at Caesars Sportsbook in Nevada, Kentucky Derby Future Wager odds from pool 2 last month, sire, trainer, ownership, most recent race, overall record and earnings, along with any Derby qualifying points earned and a summary comment.

Coal Battle. Caesars 100-1, KDFW 2 9-5 (all others), Coal Front, Lonnie Briley, Norman Stables, Springboard Mile winner at Remington Park, 5: 3-0-0, $307,625. 10 Derby points. Derby trail winner.

Disco Time. Caesars 66-1, KDFW 2 47-1, Not This Time, Brad Cox, Juddmonte, allowance winner at Churchill, 2: 2-0-0, $141,960. 0 Derby points. Undefeated in two starts.

Donut God. Caesars NA, KDFW 2 25-1, Into Mischief, Brian Lynch, Flying Dutchman Racing, Inaugural Stakes winner at Tampa Bay Downs, 2: 2-0-0, $114,000. 0 Derby points. Stakes winner, undefeated in two starts.

East Avenue. Caesars 22-1, KDFW 215-1, Medaglia d’Oro, Brendan Walsh, Godolphin, ninth in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, 3: 2-0-0, $410,645. 10 Derby points. Derby trail winner.

Ferocious. Caesars 22-1, KDFW 2 37-1, Flatter, Gustavo Delgado, JR Ranch et al., fifth in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, 4: 1-2-0, $287,500. 8 Derby points. Second in graded stakes.

First Resort. Caesars 33-1, KDFW 2 38-1, Uncle Mo, Eoin Harty, Godolphin, Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner at Churchill, 4: 2-1-0, $338,671. 10 Derby points. Derby trail winner.

Guns Loaded. Caesars NA, KDFW 2 72-1, Gun Runner, Jose D’Angelo, Morplay Racing, Platts and Lady Sheila Stable, maiden special weight winner at Churchill, 2: 1-1-0, $89,000. 0 Derby points. $800,000 yearling purchase at Keeneland.

Jonathan’s Way. Caesars 35-1, KDFW 2 38-1, Vekoma, Phil Bauer, Rigney Racing, second in Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), 4: 2-1-0, $268,530. 15 Derby points. Ohio-bred Derby trail winner.

Owen Almighty. Caesars 30-1, KDFW 2 25-1, Speightstown, Brian Lynch, Flying Dutchman Racing, second in Iroquois (G3) at Churchill, 3: 2-1-0, $232,060. 5 Derby points. Stakes winner with a second on the Derby trail.

Patch Adams. Caesars 20-1, KDFW 2 22-1, Into Mischief, Brad Cox, CHC, Siena Farms and WinStar Farm, maiden special weight winner at Churchill, 2: 1-0-1, $78,125. 0 Derby points. Broke his maiden by 10 1/2 lengths.

Render Judgment. Caesars 40-1, KDFW 2 - 96-1, Blame, Kenny McPeek, Baccari Racing Stable et al., third in Gun Runner at Fair Grounds, 4: 1-1-1, $109,110. 4 Derby points. Earned points in two Derby trail races.

Smoken Wicked. Caesars 66-1, KDFW 2 99-1, Bobby’s Wicked One, Dallas Stewart, Valerie Farms, Louisiana Futurity winner at Fair Grounds, 8: 4-1-1, $307,542. 2 Derby points. Stakes winner of his last three starts.

Sovereignty. Caesars 19-1, KDFW 2 19-1, Into Mischief, Bill Mott, Godolphin, Street Sense (G3) winner at Churchill, 3: 1-1-0, $143,280. 10 Derby points. Derby trail winner.

Tiztastic. Caesars 65-1, KDFW 2 86-1, Tiz the Law, Steve Asmussen, Winchell Thoroughbreds and Coolmore, third in Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill, 5: 2-1-1, $819,800. 8 Derby points. Stakes winner with a second and third on the Derby trail.

Remaining midwest and southwest division preps

Smarty Jones, Oaklawn, Jan. 4, 10-5-3-2-1 points

Southwest (G3), Oaklawn, Jan. 25, 20-10-6-4-2

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