The start of the Triple Crown series in the U.S. is edging ever closer, with the countdown to the 150th Kentucky Derby now within its final month. The field for the historic edition of the race at Churchill Downs is almost set, but the betting isn’t likely to change too considerably between now and the start of May after seeing all the main contenders making their final prep race appearance.
Kentucky Derby Picks
- Picks: Fierceness +300 & Forever Young +1000.
While the odds may not fluctuate dramatically before May, staying on top of scores and odds throughout these prep races can provide valuable insights into the contenders’ current form and potential for success on the big day.
Now is the time for bettors to assess their Kentucky Derby betting strategies, and you can find the latest odds to bet on horse racing here.
Kentucky Derby 2024 Information
Kentucky Derby 2024
Date & Time: Saturday, May 4, 2024. 2:30 PM ET
Location of the Race: Churchill Downs, Louisville
Where to Watch: NBC
Kentucky Derby 2024 Odds
| Prop | Odds |
|---|---|
| Sierra Leone | +300 |
| Fierceness | +300 |
| Forever Young | +1000 |
| Catching Freedom | +1200 |
| Dornoch | +1600 |
| Stronghold | +2000 |
| Just A Touch | +2000 |
| Track Phantom | +2000 |
There are currently joint favorites in the odds to bet on Kentucky Derby, with Sierra Leone and Fierceness both priced up at +300.
Forever Young is one of the most interesting horse racing predictions, although his odds, with the Japanese raider at +1000.
Catching Freedom and Dornoch have also shown their quality on the road to the Kentucky Derby. They are currently available at +1200 and +1600 respectively.
How To Bet On Kentucky Derby 2024
As one of the most popular horse racing events on the calendar, there are several ways to make wagers on the Kentucky Derby this year. Below, you can find out more about some of the most popular markets.
Win Betting
Win betting is the most straightforward type of bet to place on the Derby, as you will simply need to find the horse that will win the opening leg of the Triple Crown race.
Place Betting
With a sizeable field of contenders vying for Derby glory, place betting emerges as an excellent alternative betting market. With bettors able to have the added insurance of getting paid out should their selection finish first, second, or third.
Exacta/Trifecta
A popular betting market among experienced bettors are the Exacta and Trifecta. In the former, bettors must correctly predict the horses that will finish first and second in the correct order, with the Trifecta also requiring the bettor to find the horse that will finish third.
Kentucky Derby 2024 Leading Contenders
Sierra Leone
Chad Brown has a very solid chance at the top of the betting for the Derby this year. Sierra Leone hasn’t put a foot wrong to this point, winning three from four career starts.
He has been excellent since returning to the track at the start of this year, winning the G2 Risen Star from Track Phantom, before taking a considerable step in the right direction to score in the G1 Blue Grass by over a length from Just A Touch.
Fierceness
Fierceness will be looking to become the third Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion to follow up in the Derby. The Todd Pletcher runner has won three from five starts.
He was below his best on his return to action this year when finishing third in the G3 Holy Bull, but he was in staggering form at the end of last month, producing the standout performance on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Fierceness reversed the form with Hades in G1 Florida Derby, finishing a staggering 13 lengths clear of the field.
Catching Freedom
Brad Cox’s Derby hopes will rest, undoubtedly, on Catching Freedom this year. This three-year-old has won three from four starts and won two key trials on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
However, he will need to find his form in Sierra Leone. He finished just two lengths behind his Derby rival in the G2 Risen Star. But, the Cox runner got back on track with a powerful display when landing the G2 Louisiana Derby.
Early Kentucky Derby 2024 Prediction
Fierceness appears to be the standout U.S. contender this year, but a chance could be taken on Forever Young for Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi. This three-year-old earned his spot in the Derby after a string of impressive displays in the Middle East, most recently when streaking away from the field to beat Auto Bahn by two lengths to land the G2 UAE Derby. Good luck with your Kentucky Derby betting strategies!
- Picks: Fierceness +300 & Forever Young +1000.
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