The Midwest-Southwest division of the 2025 Kentucky Derby features a series of preparatory races held across key venues in Kentucky, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Since September, several notable horses have emerged as strong contenders. This region includes prestigious events at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Turfway Park, Oaklawn, and Remington Park. The early performances highlight promising two-year-olds with impressive victories. Notably, trainers like Brad Cox and Brian Lynch have multiple prospects in this division, while Into Mischief stands out as the leading sire with three promising colts. The upcoming races will further refine the field as these young stars vie for Derby glory.
Emerging Talent from Key Races
Several young horses have already made their mark in the early stages of the Kentucky Derby trail within the Midwest-Southwest division. Jonathan’s Way, who triumphed in the Grade 3 Iroquois, and East Avenue, winner of the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), have set high standards. Sovereignty and First Resort also claimed significant victories in the Street Sense (G3) and Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), respectively. Coal Battle added to the excitement by winning the Springboard Mile at Remington Park. These performances underscore the depth of talent in this division, with many horses earning crucial qualifying points early on.
In more detail, Jonathan’s Way secured a second-place finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) after his initial win, accumulating 15 Derby points. East Avenue, despite finishing ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, has already earned 10 points from his earlier victory. Sovereignty and First Resort both won their respective graded stakes races, each earning 10 points. Coal Battle, with 10 points from the Springboard Mile, rounds out the top performers. Other notable entries include Disco Time, Donut God, and Owen Almighty, all showing promise with undefeated records or strong finishes in key races.
Trainer and Sire Influence
The influence of top trainers and sires is evident in the Midwest-Southwest division. Trainers such as Brad Cox and Brian Lynch have multiple promising prospects. Cox oversees Disco Time and Patch Adams, while Lynch manages Donut God and Owen Almighty. Eoin Harty also plays a significant role with First Resort and Poster. The prominence of Into Mischief as a sire cannot be overlooked; he has fathered three of the most promising colts in this division, including First Resort, Patch Adams, and Sovereignty.
Into Mischief’s progeny have shown remarkable potential. First Resort, under the guidance of Eoin Harty, won the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) and has amassed 10 Derby points. Patch Adams, trained by Brad Cox, broke his maiden by an impressive 10.5 lengths. Sovereignty, another Into Mischief offspring, claimed victory in the Street Sense (G3) and has also earned 10 points. These horses, along with others like Jonathan’s Way and East Avenue, exemplify the synergy between experienced trainers and elite sires. As the race season progresses, these partnerships will continue to shape the landscape of the Kentucky Derby.