The Eddie Olczyk Derby picks 2025 for the big Churchill Downs race have been revealed as the popular former NHL player and now respected NBC handicapper highlights his ‘Must Use’ Kentucky horses to follow.
Olczyk gives his main selection and also his best ‘longshot’ bet to play in the ‘show’ market – plus you can listen to his more in-depth 2025 Kentucky Derby views below.
Who Is Eddie Olczyk – The NBC Horse Racing Handicapper?
Many horse racing fans will, of course, have their own opinions on Saturday’s 151st running of the Kentucky Derby – as the latest batch of 3 year-old start their journey to try and become the next Triple Crown winner in the USA.
However, whether they are experienced punters or not, a lot will also be keen to hear the views of the best horse racing pundits – including NBC’s respected handicapper Eddie Olczyk.
Some will remember Olczyk as a former NHL star that played in the National League for 16 seasons – these were with six sides that included the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins, of which he was also became head coach for in 2003.
But after calling time on his NHL days, Eddie Olczyk began a career in the media commentating on NHL for NBC. And through this came the opportunity to showcase his love of horse racing with the same channel snapping him up as an analyst and handicapper.
This led to Olczyk being asked to cover all the big US horse races through the season – including the Kentucky Derby – Belmont Stakes, Breeders’ Cup and Preakness Stakes for the NBC network.
His views and opinions each week and on the big US races are followed by thousands, so don’t miss his 2025 Derby picks for this weekend.
RELATED – Put history on your side with the key Kentucky Derby trends
Eddie Olczyk Derby Picks 2025: “I Think JOURNALISM Is The Best 3 Year-Old and Will Win The Kentucky Derby”
Curlin colt JOURNALISM has been heading the 2025 Run For The Roses market since winning the Santa Anita Derby back on April 5 – and this Michael McCarthy runner now also has the responsibility as being the main Eddie Olczyk Derby pick.
That recent win (watch below) was Journalism’s four career success from five starts and will head to the Derby unbeaten (2-from-2) in 2025.
Journalism will also be looking to give Santa Anita-based McCarthy his first Kentucky Derby win as well as his regular jockey Umberto Rispoli, who is also still to win the Kentucky Derby purse.
This Eddie Olczyk Derby pick for 2025 will also be hoping to go two places better than his sire Curlin, who took the bronze in the 2007 Kentucky Derby under jockey Robbie Albarado.
The Santa Anita Derby has also been a decent Kentucky Derby Trial race over the years – with the likes of Justify, California Chrome and I’ll Have Another winning both races since 2012.
He rates the best pick for Olczyk in the Derby this year. With the NBC handicapper saying “he’s the best 3 year-old in the race and will win the Kentucky Derby.”
With Rodriguez scratched, Journalism will now come out of gate 7, with the reserve Baeza in.
WATCH: Journalism Winning The 2025 Santa Anita Derby
RELATED – What is the 2025 Kentucky Derby purse and prize money? Full breakdown here.
Eddie Olczyk Derby Picks 2025 – The Longshot: “Back Tiztastic In The Show Market”
See below Olczyk’s ‘top listed’ picks to go alongside the expected Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism.
With 20 runners in the big one, even a top handicapper can have a couple of tries to find the winner!
So another of his fancied Kentucky Derby horses for Olczyk this year is TIZTASTIC.
The NBC man goes onto say that the Steve Asmussen-trained colt – Tiztastic – represents decent value if looking for a longshot 2025 Kentucky Derby pick.
This Tiz The Law 3 year-old has won three of his eight starts and caught the eye when landing the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds back in March (watch below).
Asmussen is still hunting his first Derby win, but Eddie Olczyk feels of those at bigger prices – he’s got a live chance of going close.
He adds that even though he feels Journalism is the most likely winner and the main Eddie Olczyk Derby pick. But he also says there could be better value with Tiztastic.
Saying he could be around £11 for the show – so backing him for a top-three finish could reap rewards.
While Eddie Olczyk also gives a big mention for Sandman – who impressed in the Arkansas Derby last time, but having had the dreaded 17 gate – now has stall 16.
Finally, Olczyk also suggests the reserve (21) Baeza is worth an interest after running Journalism to 3/4 of a length last time out.
The good news for his connections is that the Bob Baffert-trained Rodriguez was a late scratch on Friday – meaning Baeza is now a runner in the 2025 Derby.
Eddie Olczyk Kentucky Derby 1-2-3 Picks
- (8) JOURNALISM
- (14) Tiztastic
- (17) Sandman
- (21) Baeza
WATCH: Tiztastic Winning The 2025 Louisiana Derby
When is the Kentucky Derby 2025?
The 2025 Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday, May 3 at Churchill Downs racetrack.
- 📅Time/Date: 6:57pm (ET), Saturday May 3, 2025
- 🏇Racecourse: Churchill Downs
- 💰Purse/Winner: $5m / $3.1m
- 📺TV: NBC (Live Stream: You Tube, Peacock, fuboTV)
- 🎲Kentucky Derby Odds 2025: Journalism 3/1 | Sovereignty 5/1 | Sandman 6/1
RELATED – What are the best Kentucky Derby Trial races?
🎧WATCH/LISTEN: As Eddie Olczyk Reveals His 2025 Kentucky Derby Picks
Kentucky Derby Betting Odds 2025
See the latest 2025 Kentucky Derby odds that you can get by joining up with the best Kentucky Derby betting sites in the US:
- 1 Citizen Bull 20-1
- 2 Neoequos 30-1
- 3 Final Gambit 30-1
- 4 Rodriguez (scratched)
- 5 American Promise 30-1
- 6 Admire Daytona 30-1
- 7 Luxor Cafe 15-1
- 8 Journalism 3-1
- 9 Burnham Square 12-1
- 10 Grande 20-1
- 11 Flying Mohawk 30-1
- 12 East Avenue 20-1
- 13 Publisher 20-1
- 14 Tiztastic 20-1
- 15 Render Judgement 30-1
- 16 Coal Battle 30-1
- 17 Sandman 6-1
- 18 Sovereignty 5-1
- 19 Chunk of Gold 30-1
- 20 Owen Almighty 30-1
- 21 Baeza 12-1 (now in)
Note: Odds are subject to change
Note: Current Kentucky Derby odds correct as of 09:00 ET on Friday, May 2, 2025
