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As the excitement builds for the 2025 Kentucky Derby, one horse is capturing the attention of racing fans across the nation: Render Judgment. This bay horse, who hails from the estate of late country music star Toby Keith, is poised to make a name for himself on the first Saturday in May. But what do we need to know about Render Judgment and the upcoming Derby?
Render Judgment was trained by Kenny McPeek, who has a proven track record, winning last year's Derby with Mystik Dan. As we gear up for the race on May 3, 2025, there’s much speculation surrounding this equine contender. With a fifth-place finish in the prestigious Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, Render Judgment enters the Kentucky Derby as one of 20 competing horses, currently ranking 18th on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 39 points.
This horse possesses an intriguing pedigree: sired by Blame and out of Barbara Gordon, Render Judgment was acquired for a substantial $310,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale. The ownership group includes Baccari Racing Stable, Dream Walkin Farms, MJM Racing, and Rocket Ship Racing. While Kenny McPeek touts Render Judgment as a fine horse, he acknowledges that the colt still needs to find another level of performance to compete effectively in the Derby's fierce field.
With a career record of 1-2-1 in seven starts and earnings totaling approximately $250,672, Render Judgment has certainly shown promise. However, jockey Julien Leparoux is seeking his first Derby victory, having competed in the event 14 times without success. The stakes are high, not just for the horse and jockey but for Keith’s legacy, as the race is a significant event in horse racing history.
The Kentucky Derby is set to be broadcast nationally on NBC, with coverage starting at 2:30 p.m. ET and post time scheduled for 6:57 p.m. ET. The event will feature a lucrative total purse of $5 million, with the winner taking home approximately $3.1 million. It’s an opportunity that many trainers, owners, and jockeys prepare for their entire careers.
In the lead-up to the Derby, fans will be particularly focused on the upcoming post-position draw, scheduled for April 26. This crucial event will determine where each horse lines up at the starting gate, a factor that can heavily influence the outcome of the race.
For now, anticipation is mounting, and questions abound: Can Render Judgment rise to the occasion? Will Toby Keith's involvement in the horse racing world continue to shine a spotlight on this exciting sport? As we await the start of the races, one thing is clear; the Derby isn’t just a race, it’s a celebration of tradition, quality, and the unyielding spirit of competition.
As always, while enjoying the excitement of the Kentucky Derby, it’s important to remember responsible betting practices. Betting can be thrilling, but it comes with significant risks. Ensure you are betting responsibly and only with money that you can afford to lose.
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