Kentucky Oaks/Derby Double Prediction, Picks and Odds for May 2 and 3: Safer Bets Include Favorites Good Cheer, Journalism

Thirteen times in the last 25 years, a $2 bet on the Oaks/Derby double, which requires the bettor to pick the winner of both races, paid at least $100. This year’s winning ticket could make it 14 if you can beat at least one of the two favorites with a value pick.

The highest payoff was in 2002 when Farda Amiga won the Oaks and War Emblem surprised in the Derby ($1,395.40).

We will give you some ideas on how to beat either Good Cheer, the favorite in the  Kentucky Oaks odds, or the impressive Journalism (+300 ML) in the Derby.

Oaks/Derby Double Free Picks

• Single Journalism In Kentucky Derby

With a crowded field and most of the horses running farther than they’ve ever gone in their short careers, it’s easy to look away from the favorite for your horse betting picks on the first Saturday of May. However, it’s hard to throw out Journalism (No. 8) in this year’s Derby. While he has not run in huge California fields, he has shown the ability to start and stop with a great finishing kick. Single him and look for value in the Oaks with trainer Bob Baffert’s talented Tenma (9), 2-for-3 Simply Joking (2) and late-charging Take Charge Milady (10).

Heading out to the track with Journalism 🗞️ 🐴 pic.twitter.com/MksssnLW1t

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) April 30, 2025

The bets: 2,9,10 with 8

• Single Good Cheer In Kentucky Oaks

Trainer Brad Cox is great with the Fillies and Good Cheer (11) has done nothing wrong, winning all six races including the Fair Grounds Oaks. She will stalk, much like Journalism, and jockey Luis Saez should not have too much traffic to maneuver past. You’re only worry is her competition, but if you want to spread with longer shots in the Derby you can use Good Cheer (+110 ML) in your horse picks for the double. Your best chance for value in the Derby starts with the Japanese standout Luxor Cafe (7), Blue Grass winner Burnham Square (9) and Louisiana Derby champ Tiztastic (14), who will all be running late with double-digit odds as solid horse racing picks if Journalism gets stuck.

The bets: 11 with 7,9,14

• Bet On Speed To Burn

There is potential for rain for the weekend and sometimes the track becomes speed favoring. If that is the case, you have some options for gate to wire winners in both races. Simply Joking (2) was second in the Fantasy at Oaklawn after winning his first two and could control the pace in the Oaks, while La Cara (7) may match her impressive Ashland win at Keeneland. Gulfstream Oaks winner Five G (8) and others may make the pace too hot, but who knows? Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champ Citizen Bull (1) and Rodriguez (4) – both trained by Baffert – appear the only horses that could go gate to wire in the Derby. Baffert has done that before.

The bets: 2,7 with 1,4

• Make Some Big Green

You want a big payoff? Here’s some options. Fondly (3) is lightly raced at 2-for-2, but has a great trainer (Graham Motion) and one of the world’s best jockeys (Irad Ortiz Jr.), Simply Joking (2) may have the lead and Take Charge Milady (10) was flying at the end of the Ashland and has last year’s Oaks-winning trainer (Kenny McPeek) and jockey (Brian Hernandez Jr.). We loved the way Publisher (13) was running at the end of the Arkansas Derby, Final Gambit (3) looked amazing in his last race and trainer Todd Pletcher’s Grande (10) is an improving colt. They are all at least 20-1 ML and viable horse racing picks here and with Good Cheer.

The longshot bet: 2,3,10 with 3,10,13

Kentucky Oaks How to Watch

• Race: Kentucky Oaks
• Date: May 2, 5:51 p.m. ET (Race 11)
• Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky.
• Kentucky Oaks Live Stream: Fubo.tv

Get the latest odds for the Kentucky Oaks here.

Questions Of The Day

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets