🏇 Kentucky Derby Contenders & Their Professional Golf Counterparts

When it comes to the Kentucky Derby, every horse has a story. And here at Trouble Off The Tee, we know that in sports, greatness often looks familiar across different fields. That's why we've paired every horse in the 2025 Kentucky Derby with their Professional Golf doppelgänger — based on talent, swagger, and the ability to shine under pressure.

Here's the full breakdown with post positions and morning line odds. Credit to the Washington Post and USA Today.

1. Citizen Bull (20-1)

Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Martin Garcia
Golf Comparison: Tony Finau
Why: Early brilliance with a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile win, but recent form has dipped. Like Finau, Citizen Bull has immense talent but is seeking to recapture peak performance.

2. Neoequos (30-1)

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Golf Comparison: Tom Hoge
Why: Consistent and reliable cut making machine, but not really ever on anyone’s radar.

3. Final Gambit (30-1)

Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: Luan Machado
Golf Comparison: Tommy Fleetwood
Why: Talented and stylish, with strong performances overseas, but yet to secure a marquee win on the biggest stage.

4. Rodriguez (12-1)

Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Mike E. Smith
Golf Comparison: Bryson DeChambeau
Why: Aggressive front-runner with a powerful build, capable of dominating when everything clicks.

5. American Promise (30-1)

Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Nik Juarez
Golf Comparison: Phil Mickelson
Why: Veteran presence with a storied trainer, bringing experience and a touch of nostalgia to the field.

6. Admire Daytona (JPN) (30-1)

Trainer: Yukihiro Kato
Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
Golf Comparison: Hideki Matsuyama
Why: International contender with a strong pedigree, aiming to make history for Japan on American soil like Hideki in the Masters.

7. Luxor Café (30-1)

Trainer: Noriyuki Hori
Jockey: João Moreira
Golf Comparison: Ludvig Aberg
Why: Young, talented, and a serious international contender, bringing flair and potential. This price should drop by post time.

8. Journalism (3-1)

Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Golf Comparison: Scottie Scheffler
Why: Consistent top performer at the top of his game, entering as the morning-line favorite and rightfully so.

9. Burnham Square (12-1)

Trainer: Ian R. Wilkes
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Golf Comparison: Patrick Cantlay
Why: Steady, methodical, and often a little under the radar but always a threat with a strong closing kick.

10. Grande (20-1)

Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Golf Comparison: Collin Morikawa
Why: Young yet also experienced, with a major win already under his belt and the expectations for more.

11. Flying Mohawk (30-1)

Trainer: Whit Beckman
Jockey: Joseph Ramos
Golf Comparison: Nick Novak
Why: Has been under the radar until recently and capable of surprising the field on his best day.

12. East Avenue (20-1)

Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh
Jockey: Manuel Franco
Golf Comparison: Rickie Fowler
Why: Popular with a strong fan base, looking to capitalize on early career promise.

13. Publisher (20-1)

Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Golf Comparison: Jordan Spieth
Why: Talented and unpredictable, capable of brilliance but seeking consistency.

14. Tiztastic (20-1)

Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Golf Comparison: Justin Thomas
Why: Like JT, this royally bred in Kentucky colt is ultra-competitive with one major win in the Louisiana Derby under his belt. More than capable of adding another.

15. Render Judgment (30-1)

Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Golf Comparison: Kevin Kisner
Why: Good horse and a good player, often outperforming expectations with tenacity but no chance at the big yards.

16. Coal Battle (30-1)

Trainer: Lonnie Briley
Jockey: Juan Vargas
Golf Comparison: Brian Harman
Why: Blue-collar competitor with a strong work ethic, ready to battle it out. Hopefully he doesn’t waggle too long in the starting gate.

17. Sandman (6-1)

Trainer: Mark E. Casse
Jockey: José Ortiz
Golf Comparison: Xander Schauffele
Why: Consistent and poised, always in contention and seeking to take over the top spot.

18. Sovereignty (5-1)

Trainer: William I. Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Golf Comparison: Rory McIlroy
Why: Other world talent and skill with a powerful late kick. Always a contender and a storyline.

19. Chunk Of Gold (30-1)

Trainer: Ethan West
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
Golf Comparison: Harold Varner III
Why: Charismatic and energetic, bringing enthusiasm and flair to the competition. But the odds are appropriate.

20. Owen Almighty (30-1)

Trainer: Brian A. Lynch
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Golf Comparison: Jason Day
Why: Resilient and seasoned, with the ability to rise to the occasion when healthy.

-Marty Midian