Who Is Favored in the Kentucky Derby 2024?

Discover who is favored to win the Kentucky Derby in 2024 on Sportzino. Stay in the know with our expert predictions and analysis.

Will Wood

Updated on July 15, 2024

Who is Favored to Win the Kentucky Derby in 2024

The Kentucky Derby is the largest horse race in the USA, creating an incredible amount of interest. At Sportzino, we’ve taken a deep dive into what it offers and the predictions you have available with us!

Finf your free Kentucky Derby odds!

Kentucky Derby Odds 2024: Favorites

Two horses stand out as the leading favorites for the 2024 Kentucky Derby. We’ve taken a close look at them, as well as three long shots who have a good chance of pulling off a shock. 

Fierceness 3/1

Fierceness is the leading contender to win the Kentucky Derby, partly due to racking up 100 points in qualifying. After taking the Eclipse Award for champion two-year-old in January 2024, Fierceness is expected to compete for first place this year. 

Although Todd Pletcher is a champion trainer, he hasn’t trained a Kentucky Derby winner since 2010, so he will be hoping Fierceness lives up to expectations. However, he also trained Forte, who did well in qualifying, so there are no guarantees. 

Sierra Leone 7/2

Sierra Leone is the child of Gun Runner, who managed to finish third in the Kentucky Derby. The 7/2 odds work out as 3.5/1, which shows how close it is between Fierceness and Sierra Leone. As a result, it’s challenging to choose between these two horses for an outright favorite. 

What helps Sierra Leone stand out more than Fierceness is that he finished first in qualifying rather than just performing well. So, many feel that Sierra Leone is the actual 2024 Kentucky Derby favorite. Despite what the odds say, we can’t pick between the two horses, and honestly, we think it will be between these two colts to win the race. 

Long Shots

Catching Freedom is currently the third favorite for the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Sitting at 8/1, there’s a significant gap between this horse and the two outright favorites. However, the 2020 winner had odds of 8/1, so he’s possibly a good pick!

Next up, Forever Young has 10/1, and Dornoch has 12/1. It shows how close it is with the rest of the pack after the two top picks. So, it’s likely to be an extremely close race, making the long shots less outlandish than with other races/ 

Top 2024 Kentucky Derby Predictions

We’ve taken a look outside of the favorites for some of our top Kentucky Derby predictions. Because the last five years have seen horses outside the favorites winning, we’ve put together a list of horses we think can make it six surprises in a row. 

Just Steel

What’s most impressive about Just Steel is his record of six podium finishes from nine races. As a result, he’s perfectly capable of pulling off a surprise and winning. 

Mystik Dan

Mystik Dan is outside the favorites for one reason. He’s an inexperienced racer. However, in his two significant races, he finished first and second, meaning he has the potential to pull off a shock. Mystik Dan is our favorite prediction outside of the established top picks. 

Where to make 2024 Kentucky Derby Predictions?

At Sportzino, you can make your 2024 Kentucky Derby favorite prediction. We have competitive odds, ensuring you can get good value with your picks. Our market selections are impeccable, so no matter what prediction you want to make, you can do it with Sportzino. 

We ensure it’s fun and enjoyable, allowing you to make free predictions. You can join with friends to make it a social experience, ensuring it’s the most entertaining way to make picks. However you want to play, you can do it with Sportzino. 

2024 Kentucky Derby Odds 

You can find a complete list of current odds for the top ten competitors likely to compete in the Kentucky Derby. The following odds are entirely up to date but can change as the event gets closer:

HorseOdds
Fierceness3/1
Sierra Leone7/2
Catching Freedom8/1
Forever Young10/1
Dornoch12/1
Track Phantom15/1
Honor Marie16/1
Mystik Dan16/1
Domestic Product18/1
Endlessly20/1

Recent Kentucky Derby Winners

While horses can only race once in the Kentucky Derby, there is information from past winners that helps create predictions. The trainers and jockeys of past winners can provide information to help inform future winners.

HorseTrainerYear
Country HouseBill Mott2019
AuthenticBob Baffert2020
MandalounBrad Cox2021
Rich StrikeEric Reed2022
MageGustavo Delgado2023

Understanding the odds of the horses directly correlates to their chances of winning is critical. However, since 2018, the lowest odds of the winning horse have been 8/1. There are two ways to read into this. 

Firstly, it’s possible that modern horses can’t deal with the track as well as older horses, which levels the playing field. If this is the case, looking at horses with longer odds is a solid tactic to make a winning prediction. 

Secondly, others will believe that the run of long odds winning the race can’t continue. In this situation, looking for the odds on favorites is best. 

You must take your own view of the situation to make the most suitable pick. 

Kentucky Derby 2024 Info

The Kentucky Derby is the oldest continuous race meet in the United States. Taking place at Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, in May, it has an incredible amount of prestige. The 2024 edition is a particularly important race as it’s the 150th event. It adds more valor to the winning trainer, mainly as they will earn more from studding the winner. 

Part of the mystique around the event is the number of attendees. It is the largest gathering for any horse race in the US calendar, and it similarly sets viewing records from TV deals. At one and a quarter miles, with an average run-time of around two minutes, it’s one of the most exciting sporting events there is. 

You can enjoy everything the Kentucky Derby offers right here at Sportzino. Just stick with us to find the best selection of picks, the most extensive market options, and the most competitive odds!

About Author

Will Wood

Position: Casino and sports writer. I write about many leagues, including the NBA, NFL, NHL, EPL, and MLB.

Bio

I'm a dedicated casino and sports writer who's been in the industry for almost a decade. My industry knowledge ensures I approach everything with accuracy and an eye for detail. I'm thorough and meticulous, and I always give readers complete value in exchange for their time.

Experience

Freelance casino and sports writer — 2016 — Present.

Education

Academy of Music and Sound Birmingham, Music Practice and Performance, 2008

What Makes Will Wood an Expert?

I consume a huge amount of sports. Even when I'm working, I have a game on in the background or just a sports news channel. For casino gaming, I play as many new slot releases as possible. slotcatalog.com is my favorite site to get access to new games as they come out.

FAQ

1. Do you have a favorite type of casino game or sports event you enjoy writing about?

Video slots are my favorite casino game to write about. I enjoy the different variations and the excitement that they create. For sports, soccer is my number one, but the NBA is a close second.

2. What first drew you to writing about the Casino gaming industry, and what keeps you passionate about it?

Video slots were what first caught my eye. They are bright, exciting, and fun. I still enjoy playing new slots almost ten years later. The constant innovations in slots shows that even after all this time, there's still plenty of room for growth and evolution.

3. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in sports?

I consume as much sports media as possible. While the different sports seasons are running I'll catch at least two games a week, and highlight shows. I also watch sports news every day, even out of season.

Social Casino and Gaming Writing