The Steve Asmussen-trained Clever Again will try to return to the winner's circle when the starting gate opens in the 2025 Ohio Derby on Saturday at Thistledown outside Cleveland. Sent off as the 5-1 second choice in the Preakness Stakes, Clever Again finished the last of nine after major bumping with eventual winner Journalism down the stretch. The loss ended a two-race winning streak. For Saturday, Clever Again has been installed as the 9-5 morning-line favorite in the 2025 Ohio Derby odds. McAfee (3-1), Chunk of Gold (7-2) and Mo Plex (6-1) round out the top four choices among the 10 Ohio Derby horses. Post time for the Ohio Derby 2025 is 6:20 p.m. ET.

Before locking in any 2025 Ohio Derby bets, you NEED to see what longtime horse racing guru Jeff Hochman has to say.

Hochman has shown a profit in 22 of the past 39 Triple Crown races. One example of his best picks was Big Brown in the 2008 Kentucky Derby at odds of 2-1. More recently, he swept the 2022 Triple Crown, capped off by Mo Donegal's easy win in the Belmont Stakes. In 2023, he cashed the Preakness with National Treasure. In 2024, he successfully tabbed Straight No Chaser to win, place and show in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship at odds of 3-2. Join here to see what he's picking for Saturday's Ohio Derby, and use promo code JOCKEY to unlock 50% off!

While a slew of horses could hit the board in the 2025 Ohio Derby, Hochman has studied the field and revealed his picks. 

One surprise: Hochman is high on Mo Plex, a 6-1 shot. "He has never placed worse than third in his seven lifetime starts, which include four wins," Hochman told SportsLine. Hochman is using Mo Plex prominently in his wagers.

Moreover, Hochman's top pick is a horse who "has a solid pedigree for nine-furlong dirt races." He also is high on a double-digit longshot who "can hit the board." You absolutely need to see which horses they are before making any 2025 Ohio Derby picks of your own.

So which horse wins the 2025 Ohio Derby? Which longshot is a must-back? And how has Hochman constructed his wagers? ... Join SportsLine now to get Jeff Hochman's Ohio Derby picks, all from the expert who has nailed Triple Crown races. Use promo code JOCKEY to slash 50% off right now.