The race for the Triple Crown begins on Saturday with the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Last year's best shot at seeing a Triple Crown winner was lost before the first leg of the three marquee races. Namely, Forte was the Kentucky Derby favorite but was scratched the morning of the Kentucky Derby due to a foot injury. Ironically, Forte's owner, Mike Repole, has the Derby Day betting favorite yet again entering the 2024 Run for the Roses. Repole is still seeking his first Kentucky Derby victory. This year, he brings Fierceness, the 3-1 favorite in the 2024 Kentucky Derby odds.
Let’s look at top Kentucky Derby Betting favorites for Saturday, May 4, 2024.
Horse Racing Betting Lines
On Saturday, May 4, 2024, the 2024 Kentucky Derby will be held at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky. Post time is set for 6:57 p.m. ET with television coverage on NBC.
2024 Kentucky Derby Odds
Fierceness 3-1
Sierra Leone 7-2
Dornoch 10-1
Honor Marie 10-1
Forever Young 11-1
Catching Freedom 12-1
Mystik Dan 16-1
Just a Touch 20-1
Track Phantom 20-1
Resilience 20-1
Stronghold 25-1
Domestic Product 26-1
Just Steel 30-1
West Saratoga 40-1
Catalytic 45-1
Endlessly 50-1
Common Defense 65-1
Encino 65-1
Society Man 100-1
Grand Mo the First 100-1
Uncle Heavy 125-1
TO Password 125-1
Trained by the legendary Todd Pletcher, Fierceness got the No. 17 post in a field of 20. The draw was held Saturday night for the $5 million Grade 1 Kentucky Derby. Previously, the post-draw has never been beholden to one day or time. The switch to Saturday was largely for practical purposes. It gives bettors and handicappers more time to consider the horses and the odds. Additionally, the draw required horses to be at Churchill Downs by Saturday, which provides veterinary access to the entrants for a full week.
Also, Blue Grass Stakes winner Sierra Leone, trained by Chad Brown, is the No. 2 choice in the morning line at 7-2 odds. A total of 22 horses were entered, with Epic Ride and Mugatu on the also-eligible list. Should one of the top 20 horses be scratched before 9 a.m. on Friday, a horse on the also-eligible list can take his place.
2024 Kentucky Derby Betting Picks
Fierceness 3-1
Fierceness has the resume and the support staff to make for a quality favorite. Trainer Todd Pletcher is arguably the best in the business currently. Additionally, John Velazquez is a top-tier jockey. Pletcher and Velazquez are Hall of Famers.
Pletcher is an eight-time Eclipse Award winner as the top trainer in the sport. He has two Kentucky Derby wins among a laundry list of major titles. Velazquez has three Derby wins in his illustrious career.
Last time out, Fierceness won the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 30, 2024. It was his third win in five races. Additionally, Fierceness was the winner of the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Juvenile on November 3, 2023. The Breeders Cup is one of the most important and prestigious wins in the sport. Whoever wins the Juvenile is almost always the presumptive Kentucky Derby favorite.
Fierceness has established himself as the fastest horse in the nation. He should easily compete for the biggest betting handle to win the Run for the Roses.
Sierra Leone 7-2
Sierra Leone's reputation continues to ascend. Now, he enters the weekend ranked No. 1 in racing. Leone enters the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports fresh off a commanding win at the Blue Grass Stakes. In four career starts, he has racked up three first-place finishes and one second.
Late on Sierra Leone has three wins in his last four starts, including two consecutive wins. Sierra Leone is coming off a Grade 1 win at the Blue Grass Stakes on April 6, 2024. On February 17, 2024, Sierra Leone won the Grade 2 Risen Star. It is also true that Chad Brown adds prestige as a quality trainer.
Dornoch 10-1
Certainly, Dornoch offers the combination of a quality horse and a good price. Although he finished fourth at the Blue Grass Stakes, he posted three straight wins before that. Specifically, two of those wins were Grade 2 caliber (Fountain of Youth and Remsen). Just as critical is that Luis Saez is a proven jockey.
Honor Marie 10-1
Honor Marie has a Grade 2 win on his resume at the Kentucky Jockey Club. Also, he was second at the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby.
Forever Young 11-1
Correlate that Forever Young is best known for winning the Grade 2 UAE Derby and Grade 3 Saudi Derby. He is undefeated in five starts.
Bookmaker Kentucky Derby Free Picks
Fierceness has established himself as the fastest horse in the nation. He should easily compete for the biggest betting handle to win the Run for the Roses.
Bookmaker Kentucky Derby Best Bets: Fierceness and Dornoch
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