The Kentucky Derby horses are the true rockstars at the highly anticipated yearly event, and they will get a huge amount of attention from bettors ahead of the May 4 event.
Close to 150,000 people packed into Churchill Downs Racecourse in 2023 to see which horse would win the first leg of the prestigious Triple Crown. That is expected to happen again this weekend as many in attendance will put money down on the horse they believe will win the 150th edition of the race.
Related: Kentucky Derby FAQ – Everything you need to know about the 2023 race
In 2023, a record $188.7 million was placed on bets for that year’s race. Let’s take a look at some of the horses competing in 2024, including early race favorite Sierra Leone.
Horses at Kentucky Derby 2024
As of now, 20 horses are vying for the honor of being called the derby champion in 2024. At least one or two are likely to be scratched ahead of Saturday’s race. Let’s take a look at some favorites and potential dark horses (pun intended) in this year’s “Run for the Roses.”
Fierceness
Along with Sierra Leone, Fierceness is one of the top picks to win the Kentucky Derby. Outside of a seventh-place finish in its second race, the colt has three wins during its career, including a big victory at the Florida Derby in March. The three-year-old is trained by Todd A. Pletcher and should be as ready as any for the legendary race this weekend.
Odds: 5-2
Dornoch
Danny Gargan trained horse Dornoch is one of several three-year-olds that could be seen as a dark horse on May 4. The Colt has only raced twice in 2024, however, in six career events the thoroughbred has three first-place finishes and a pair of second places. All of its races have been on dirt but in a head-to-head with race favorite Sierra Leone recently, Dornoch finished three spots behind in fourth.
Odds: 20-1
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is the offspring of a one-time derby participant Gun Runner and is one of the favorites heading into this weekend’s event. The colt has run in just four races during its career but has taken first place in all but one. In early April, Sierra Leone faced off with derby competitors like Just a Touch and Dornoch and dominated for another win at the 2024 Blue Grass Stakes.
Odds: 3-1
Catching Freedom
Brad H. Cox’s trained colt Catching Freedom is another solid choice on race day. The horse has competed three times already this year and has a pair of wins. Unfortunately, the one race it did not win this year, the 2024 Risen Star, Catching Freedom finished two spots behind derby favorite Sierra Leone.
Odds: 8-1
Just a Touch
Just a Touch is another Brad H. Cox-trained three-year-old, however, 2024 has been the debut year for the colt. Similar to fellow Cox horse Catching Freedom, Just a Touch has been busy with three races this year. The horse has just one win this year and was among the derby competitors that lost to Sierra Leone at the Blue Grass Stakes in April. Nevertheless, Just a Touch is one to look out for on race day.
Odds: 10-1
West Saratoga
Larry W. Demeritte’s colt West Saratoga is one of the biggest underdogs heading into the 2024 Kentucky Derby. However, like many underdogs, the horse is one of the most experienced in this year’s field. West Saratoga has competed ten times and has two first-place finishes. Unfortunately, that came in 2024. The horse’s current 50-1 odds are understandable after not standing out much in its two-year career.
Odds: 50-1
Mystik Dan
Kenneth G. McPeek-trained colt Mystik Dan is an interesting competitor on Saturday. The horse has only won two of its six races, but Dan has experience and has faced off already with some of the horses that will be in the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Dan is unlikely to win but is a solid horse that should not be underestimated.
Odds: 20-1
Track Phantom
Track Phantom showed serious potential to end 2023 and to begin 2024. The Steven M. Asmussen-trained colt won two races to finish last year and a third straight to open the new year. However, it has earned second and fourth-place finishes in the two races since, including losses to fellow derby competitors Sierra Leone and Catching Freedom.
Odds: 20-1
Forever Young
Forever Young is one of the Japanese imports at this year’s race and the colt should be viewed as a dark horse with 10-1 odds ahead of the race. While the Japanese circuit is different than the US, Forever Young has been a monster in the land of the rising son, winning all five of its races since debuting last year.
Odds: 10-1
Odds for 2024 Kentucky Derby
Here are the current betting odds for the 2024 Kentucky Derby. The race takes place a 6:57 PM ET on May 4.
- Fierceness 5-2
- Sierra Leone 3-1
- Catching Freedom 8-1
- Just a Touch 10-1
- Forever Young (JPN) 10-1
- Dornoch 20-1
- Mystik Dan 20-1
- Just Steel 20-1
- Honor Marie 20-1
- Encino 20-1
- Stronghold 20-1
- Resilience 20-1
- Track Phantom 20-1
- Catalytic 30-1
- Endlessly 30-1
- Domestic Product 30-1
- T O Password (JPN) 30-1
- West Saratoga 50-1
- Grand Mo the First 50-1
- Society Man 50-1
2023 Kentucky Derby winner
Despite horses like Tapit Trice, Forte, and Angel Empire getting much of the credit heading into the race, it was Gustavo Delgado-trained horse Mage that won the 2023 Kentucky Derby. The thoroughbred laid in wait for much of the race and made an incredible push down the home stretch to overcome Two Phil’s to get the historic victory.
Mage had won just one of its three previous races heading into the event at Churchhill Downs.