Letting the horses decide who will win the WUL and PUL.
May 2, 2025 by Emilia Scheemaker in Opinion
We are in the thick of semi-pro season and it’s about time for some hot takes on exactly where this season will go. What better way to celebrate than by letting the Sport of Kings tell us who would win if the WUL and PUL were combined? Below we’ll break out teams and assign them to a Kentucky Derby contender with little to no context. And when the horses run on May 3rd, we’ll know without a doubt who will take home the roses come championship weekend.
The field at the Kentucky Derby consists of the 20 horses with the highest score after competing in the Road to the Kentucky Derby races, not unlike the Triple Crown Tour in club. The field has been assigned their posts, their order in the starting gate, so we’ll head down the line and see which team is riding aboard.
The Horses
Citizen Bull – Bay Area Falcons
Odds: 20-1
About the Horse: Citizen Bull is trained by Bob Baffert, a big name in horse racing. He is currently the highest earning horse on the list for the Derby at $1.4 million earned. Citizen Bull will be running from the No. 1 post.
Who’s On Board: Citizen Bull will be running for the Bay Area Falcons. The Falcons are currently sitting in 4th place in the WUL and Citizen Bull came in 4th at Santa Anita over 11/8ths of a mile1. Expect to see Citizen Bull surge to the front of the pack just like Bay Area did in their opener against Arizona.
Neoequos – Utah Wild
Odds: 30-1.
About the Horse: Neoequos has had seven starts so far all out of Gulfstream Park (Florida). His sire, Neolithic, earned $2.2 million during his race years, but was challenged by distances. Expect to see Neoequos running at or near the front early in the race. He’ll need a clean break from the No. 2 post to find his stride.
Who’s On Board: The Utah Wild will be running with Neoequos. This team has been solid in early periods of their games, but can’t seem to hold the discipline (or the lead, at times) as the game goes on. But never fear: six Florida-bred horses have won the Kentucky Derby. The last one was Silver Charm in 1997, so it’s about time for another.
Final Gambit – Atlanta Soul
Odds: 30-1
About the Horse: Final Gambit notched a win over Flying Mohawk (Philadelphia Surge) at Turfway Park by 3 1/2 lengths earlier this year. His jockey Luan Machado is appearing in his first Derby atop this young horse. The pair will be running from the No. 3 post.
Who’s On Board: Final Gambit is running for Atlanta Soul. His running style is described as a closer, meaning he knows how to bring home a win at the end, just like Soul over Torch.
Rodriguez – DC Shadow
Odds: 12-1
About the Horse: Rodriguez is out of Bob Baffert’s stable. He won the Wood Memorial, beating Grande by 3.5 lengths. This horse loves to run at the front of the pack, just like our team DC Shadow. He was sired by 2020 Derby winner Authentic. Jody Demling, an expert at picking horse races, isn’t calling for Rodriguez to take home the roses, but it’s not for lack of experience. Rodriquez has the excellent guidance of Mike Smith on board for his 29th Derby start2). Rodriguez will be running from No. 4 post.
Who’s On Board: DC Shadow. Rodriguez is carrying our hopes and dreams for DC Shadow because he’s a front runner just like our team. He’s got an expert holding the reins, just like DC Shadow’s coaching staff who won the 2024 PUL Coaching Staff of the Year. Rodriguez will need to channel his inner Kami Groom to defend his space as he rounds the track.
Writer’s Note: Rodriguez scratched in the last days before the race. The next horse in from the list will be Beaza, coming in with 12-1 odds. I’ll leave it up to DC Shadow to choose among Chunk of Gold, Owen Almighty, or Beaza to represent their shot at the Roses.
American Promise – Milwaukee Monarchs
Odds: 30-1
About the Horse: American Promise is sired by Justify who became the 13th winner of the Triple Crown in 2028. This horse will be breaking from No. 5 post and will likely be near the pace early on.
Who’s On Board: American Promise won the Virginia Derby on March 15th at Colonial Downs and hasn’t raced since. That kind of downtime is reminiscent of the Milwaukee Monarchs who have a late start to their season, taking their first game in Week 5 (May 3rd and 4th). But don’t count them out. American Promise won that race by 7 3/4 lengths over Render Judgement (who has since dropped from the field).
Admire Daytona – Nashville Nightshade
Odds: 30-1.
About the Horse: Admire Daytona is one of two horses that took an alternate route to the Derby. He was bred in Japan and picked up his points through the Euro-Mideast route. There’s a lot of new blood backing this horse. His owner, Junko Kondo, and trainer, Yukihiro Kato, will be taking on their first Derby. Jockey Christophe Lemaire has been to Kentucky twice before with his best finish coming sixth aboard Derma Sotogake in 2023. Admire Daytona will be coming from the No. 6 post. Expect to see him setting the pace on Saturday.
Who’s On Board: Nashville Nightshade are riding with Admire Daytona. Nightshade might need to find their own alternative route to get them to the top of the pile. Or at least come out swinging in their next game against Austin Torch. But Admire Daytona has been beaten by Luxor Café (Indy Red) twice, so there is definitely hope.
Luxor Café – Indy Red
Odds: 15-1.
About the Horse: Luxor Café is one of two sons of American Pharaoh competing in this year’s Kentucky Derby. American Pharaoh won the Kentucky Derby in 2025. This is the other horse who qualified for the Derby through earning points on a circuit outside the US. Luxor Café is coming in from Japan with his team of Derby day rookies: owner Koichi Nishikawa, trainer Noriyuki, and jockey Joao Moreira.
Who’s On Board: Indy Red. Luxor Café is on a four game winning streak. Red just notched a win over Torch, could this be the start of their own win streak? Maybe Indy Red can copy Luxor Café’s model, stalk the leaders early before sending it to take home the win.
Journalism – New York Gridlock
Odds: 3-1
About the Horse: Journalism is the favorite headed in to this weekend. He was sired by Curlin, the 2007 Preakness winner. He’s beaten two of the horses in the field already; Beaza at the Santa Anita Derby, and Rodriguez at Wood. Journalism will be breaking from the No. 8 post. Expect to see him running behind the main pack, staying below the radar until his jockey asks for more.
Who’s On Board: Journalism is the front runner, the favorite, the top of the pile. After their championship win last year, so is NY Gridlock. Journalism is on a four-win streak, and with Gridlock’s two wins in the bank they could very well match him. This horse runs behind the main pack in a strategy called stalking, but he only stays there until the jockey asks for more. There’s always another gear and Gridlock has shown that to be true of their team as well.
Burnham Square – Arizona Sidewinders
Odds: 12-1
About the Horse: Burnham Square had an incredible last to first win at Keeneland. He’ll be ridden by Brian Hernandez, who just visited the winner’s circle in 2024 with Mystic Dan. The trainer for this horse expects the extra length of the Derby to help this horse pull away. Burnham Square is a closer, meaning he kicks hard towards the end of the race.
Who’s On Board: That sort of last-to-first attitude is exactly what the Sidewinders need to drive them to the leaderboard. They’re running low now, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a shot (next year). As any trainer will tell you, the horse doesn’t know the odds.
Grande – Oregon Soar
Odds: 20-1.
About the Horse: Grande joins Journalism as one of 2007 Preakness winner Curlin’s two sons entered in this year’s contest. His trainer Todd Pletcher has entered the most Kentucky Derbys of any trainer at 65 starts. He’s won twice with Super Saver in 2010 and Always Dreaming in 2017. Grande’s John Velazquez is a common sight at Churchill Downs. This will be his 27th Kentucky Derby. He’s ridden straight to the winner’s circle three times with Animal Kingdom in 2011, Always Dreaming in 2017, and Authentic in 2020. Grande will be breaking from the middle of the pack at the No. 10 post.
Who’s On Board: Oregon Soar is represented by Grande. Just like trainer Todd Pletcher, Oregon Soar has rebranded and reinvented itself the most out of the semi-pro teams. Grande runs in a style called stalking, meaning he’ll be behind the main pack until he turns up the heat. Oregon Soar is in a similar boat, playing at one pace until their opponent asks them to step it up. They improved every time they’ve taken the field, maybe they’ll have the same success on the track.
Flying Mohawk – Philadelphia Surge
Odds: 30-1.
About the Horse: Flying Mohawk will be breaking from post No. 11. Most closers like Flying Mohawk round the track off the pace until he’s given leave to open it up. Look to find this horse kicking hard at the end where he is expected to run his best at the end of the race.
Who’s On Board: Surge will be riding with Flying Mohawk. There was no other choice when we found out that the co-owner of this horse, Jayson Werth3, is former All-Star outfielder with the Philadelphia Phillies. His stable, Two Eight Racing, is a call back to the number he wore as a major league player, No. 28. Philly is in a battle for championship weekend and while they might not be the front runner, we still expect to see their best play at the end of the season, just like Flying Mohawk.
East Avenue – Austin Torch
Odds: 20-1.
About the Horse: Coming in hot from post No. 12, East Avenue will make a surge for the front of the pack. He’s a gritty horse that loves to run just like the team he’ll be pulling for.
Who’s On Board: East Avenue will be representing Austin Torch on the track this weekend. Torch might have dropped a pair of games so far this season, but no one can say their opponents ran away with it. Austin battled to keep the scores closer and that grit is why they’re a match for East Avenue this weekend.
Publisher – Raleigh Radiance
Odds: 20-1.
About the Horse: Publisher was sired by 2015 Kentucky Derby winner American Pharaoh. His trainer, Steve Asmussun, has entered 26 Derbys and ended up with three runner-ups; Nehro in 2011, Lookin At Lee in 2017, and Epicenter in 2022. Publisher has dropped one win to Sandman (representing San Diego Super Bloom) at Oaklawn Park, but otherwise will meet his competition for the first time this weekend.
Who’s On Board: Raleigh Radiance will be running along with Publisher this weekend. Their track record looks a bit better than his. Publisher hasn’t come up with any wins yet, but Radiance is two up. His trainer says this horse is not going to waste any energy on anything other than running. That no-nonsense style of play is exactly what we expect to see from Radiance as they take the field against DC Shadow in Week 7 (May 17-18). They already proved they wouldn’t be left behind by Gridlock. Publisher is a closer and that is what we expect to see from Radiance as well. They’ve got a tough schedule, but it’ll be well worth it when the last bell goes off.
Tiztastic – Seattle Tempest
Odds: 20-1
About the Horse: Tiztastic is the second highest earning horse on the list at $1.39 million and he’s got the pedigree to command it. Does the name sound familiar? This is the son of Tiz the Law, who won the 2020 Belmont Stakes and came second in the 2020 Kentucky Derby. Just like Publisher he is trained by Steve Asmussen. Tiztastic has raced Chunk of Gold at Fair Grounds and pulled out the win by 2 1/2 lengths.
Who’s On Board: Tiztastic will be running for Seattle Tempest this weekend. His trainer thinks Tiztastic is getting better at the right time and that’s just what Seattle is doing. They played a gritty game against San Diego Super Bloom this past weekend that proved to everyone they deserve to be at the front of the pack. Tiztastic is a closer just like Seattle Tempest. They don’t give up, especially not when the finish line is in sight.
Render Judgement – Minnesota Strike
Odds: 30-1.
About the Horse: Render Judgement hasn’t run anything as long as the Kentucky Derby yet, but he’s changing up his strategy with a new jockey. The Derby will be Julien Leparoux’s first ride aboard Render Judgement. The pair will be loading up for No. 15 post position. Expect to see Render Judgement sit back behind the pace until he’s asked to close the gap.
Who’s On Board: Minnesota Strike will be running with Render Judgement. While Render Judgement finished behind American Promise (representing Milwaukee Monarchs) by 7 1/2 lengths, Strike will look to set the record straight in Week 7 (May 17-18). Strike and Render Judgement will both stay off the top of the leaderboard until it’s time to shine. Then expect them to close the gap and charge for the finish.
Coal Battle – LA Astra
Odds: 30-1.
About the Horse: Coal Battle might be the most versatile colt in the lineup. He’s won from behind and from the front. His trainer says that this horse is either sleeping, relaxing, or ready to run with no inbetween. Coal Battle will bring a team of Derby rookies with him in owner Norman Stable, trainer Lonie Briley, and jockey Juan Vargas, who will all be seeing their first derby. This horse will break from post No. 16.
Who’s On Board: Much like Coal Battle, LA Astra is adaptable and steady. They’ve crossed the US to take on the PUL and so far they’re 1-1. They’ll take on a tough match in DC Shadow this weekend, but never count them out. They might be the rookies in the PUL, but like Coal Battle, they’re ready to run.
Sandman – San Diego Super Bloom
Odds: 6-1
About the Horse: Sandman is one of three horses to break $1 million dollars earned ($1.1 million). He won the Arkansas Derby. One of Sandman’s owners, Vincent Viola, is also the owner of the NHL’s Florida Panthers. You’ll be able to spot him in the paddocks with his grey coat that will stick out among all the dark bays and blacks. Look for him to break from the outside in post No. 17 and fall just behind the main pack. Sandman’s running style is that of a closer and he ‘s prettiest pony on the whole grid. They don’t call it a grid, but you don’t know that because you play ultimate.
Who’s On Board: Sandman comes into the Derby with the third best odds. San Diego finds themselves in a similar place. They’ve slipped behind Alpenglow by point differential, but they’re very much still in this race. The Derby is their chance to go head to head before the teams actually meet in Week 9 (May 18th) in Colorado.
Sovereignty – Colorado Alpenglow
Odds: 5-1
About the Horse: Sovereignty was the runner-up to his half brother Tappan Street at the Florida Derby. Tappan Street (not running at the Derby), Citizen Bull and Sovereignty share a sire in Into Mischeif. Sovereignty carries the second best odds in the field, just in front of Sandman. He’ll break from far outside at post No. 18.
Who’s On Board: Sovereignty is hoping to bring home the crown for Colorado Alpenglow. He’s expected to roll through most of the race until he really turns up the heat at the end. Not so dissimilar from what we saw from Colorado Alpenglow this weekend as they slipped into the lead. Expect the best racing and playing from these athletes right at the end as they get their eyes on the finish line.
Short Race, Short Season
Unfortunately while there are 20 horses in the Derby, there are only 18 teams between the two leagues. Chunk of Gold and Owen Almighty don’t have a semi-pro team to represent this weekend, but they’ve still got a shot at the roses. Much like the semi-pro leagues the race will be decided on guts as much as skill. It’s a fast paced sport with only two minutes from bell to photo finish. With a short race, and a short season, every second counts. Best of luck to all our competitors on the track and on the field this weekend. We’ll be following along to see who noses out the roses.
