Luxor Cafe trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse

• Luxor Cafe will enter the Kentucky Derby off a victory in the Fukuryu Stakes on March 29 in Japan
• Jockey Joao Moreira was born in Brazil and is based in Hong Kong but won a race at Churchill Downs in 2013

Luxor Cafe is one of 20 horses expected to enter the 2025 Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Spots for the Run for the Roses are earned by gaining points through a series of Kentucky Derby prep races that began last September.

The post-position draw for the Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, April 26. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.

Luxor Cafe will enter the Kentucky Derby off a victory in the Fukuryu Stakes on March 29 at Nakayama in Japan. He earned his spot by winning the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Luxor Café

Color: Bay.

Bred in: Kentucky.

Sire: American Pharoah.

Dam: Mary’s Follies, by More Than Ready.

Price tag: N/A.

Owner: Koichi Nishikawa. First Derby.

Trainer: Noriyuki Hori. First Derby.

Jockey: Joao Moreira. First Derby.

Record: 4-1-0 in six starts.

Career earnings: $397,057.

Road to the Kentucky Derby points: Qualified via Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Last race: Won Fukuryu Stakes on March 29 at Nakayama.

Running style: Stalked early leaders in Fukuryu before taking lead on final turn.

Notes: All six of Luxor Café’s races have come in Japan, and he enters the Kentucky Derby with a four-race winning streak. … Moreira was born in Brazil and currently is based in Hong Kong. He rode in the United States in 2013 and won a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs with Wesley Ward trainee Princess Millie. … Luxor Café is one of two sons of American Pharoah scheduled to run in the Kentucky Derby, joining Publisher. American Pharoah won the Triple Crown in 2015.

What they’re saying: “He certainly feels like he has a big chance,” Moreira told IdolHorse.com. “The way he won in Japan was very impressive and I didn’t fully use him, so he goes there with plenty left in the tank and that’s great. He has a great temperament, he is a good type physically and the distance won’t be a problem.”

How to watch 2025 Kentucky Derby

Last May, NBC Sports announced a partnership with Churchill Downs to present the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032.

The extension includes multiplatform rights to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Derby and Oaks Day programming, which will be presented on NBC, Peacock, USA Network and additional NBCU platforms.

You can stream the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Fubo and Peacock.

What time is the Kentucky Derby?

Post time for the 151st Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com. Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.