2024 Kentucky Derby Field Preview & Poll

May 3, 2024DeAnn SloanKayla Zielke#HORSE RACING, #KENTUCKY DERBY, #POLL, #Triple CrownComments Off

As the resident horse person, you know you’ll be grilled about who your Derby pick is, so make sure you’re informed! Here’s the ultimate quick guide to the 2024 Kentucky Derby field.

1. DORNACH, 20-1

(Good Magic – Puca, by Big Brown)
Bay colt
Born April 22, 2021
Trainer: Danny Gargan
Jockey: Luis Saez
Owner: West Paces Racing, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding,Two Eight Racing & Pine Racing Stables
Bred in Kentucky by Grandview Equine
6 starts, 3 wins, 2 seconds, and earnings of $552,275

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Won the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2)

2023

Won the Remsen Stakes (G2)
Finished 2nd in the Sapling Stakes

Dornoch’s pedigree really drives home his spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. His sire Good Magic finished second to Justify in the 2018 Kentucky Derby. His dam sire, Big Brown, won the Kentucky Derby in 2008 and just last year his full brother Mage was victorious in the Kentucky Derby. Dornoch will have to overcome the rail post position but his closing running style may suit this rail gate just fine. His last start he had a wide trip on the final turn and lacked drive to close on the leaders, so he will be looking to repeat his Fountain of Youth performance.

2. SIERRA LEONE, 3-1

Gun Runner – Heavenly Love, by Malibu Moon
Dark bay colt
Born March 31, 2021
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Owner: Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, and Rocket Ship Racing
Bred in Kentucky by Debby Oxley
4 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, and earnings of $918,000

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Won the Blue Grass Stakes (G1)
Won the Risen Star Stakes (G2)

2023

Finished 2nd in the Remsen Stakes (G2)

Sierra Leone comes into the Derby as the second choice in the odds for good reason. He has been undefeated so far in 2024 and comes to the Derby fresh off a demanding performance in the Blue Grass stakes. He has a deep closer running style that usually suits the Derby best after the front runners set blistering fractions. The main concern for this colt is whether or not he can overcome the starting gate troubles that he encountered in the Blue Grass Stakes, which ultimately delayed the start of that race. Trainer Chad Brown seeks his first Kentucky Derby win with his two chances this year in Sierra Leone and Domestic Product after coming within inches of victory in past years.

3. MYSTIK DAN, 20-1

Goldencents – Ma’am , by Colonel John
Bay colt
Born March 4, 2021
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Owner: Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing & Valley View Farm
Bred in Kentucky by Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby & 4G Racing
6 starts, 2 wins, 1 seconds, 1 third, and earnings of $641,360

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Won the Southwest Stakes (G3)
Finished 3rd in the Arkansas Derby (G1)

Mystik Dan is one of the only horses with mud experience and has a driving away win on the muddy track in the Southwest Stakes. He came out of the Southwest and went to the Arkansas Derby, where he was able to close late for third. Mystik Dan’s pedigree does point to him being more suited for the classic mile distance races. He is also one of the only horses to have a win at Churchill Downs.

4. CATCHING FREEDOM, 8-1

Constitution – Catch My Drift, by Pioneerof the Nile
Bay colt
Born March 8, 2021
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables
Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm
5 starts, 3 wins, 1 third, and earnings of $877,350

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Won the Louisiana Derby (G2)
Won the Smarty Jones Stakes
Finished 3rd in the Risen Star Stakes (G2)

Catching Freedom has a deep closer running style with a strong stretch run that he put on full display in his last to first victory in the Louisiana Derby. His pedigree shows strong promise for the mile and a quarter distance, with his sire Constitution siring multiple distance runners and his dam sire Pioneerof the Nile being a Kentucky Derby placer himself and sire of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. Catching Freedom has been catching the eyes of many in the last couple weeks with his impressive efforts in the morning works. This is definitely a top contender.

5. CATALYTIC, 30-1

Catalina Cruiser – One Show Only, by Distorted Humor
Bay colt
Born March 21, 2021
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Owner: Tami Bobo, Julie Davies, and George G. Isaacs
Bred in Kentucky by Fred W. Hertrich III
3 starts, 1 win, 2 seconds, and earnings of $216,825

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Finished 2nd in the Florida Derby (G1)

Catalytic is on the more inexperienced end of the field, with only three starts. He was able to gain his Kentucky Derby points in the Florida Derby while following the dominating performance of Fierceness on that day. He would be looking to improve a fair bit from his last effort.

6. JUST STEEL, 20-1

Justify – Irish Lights, by Fastnet Rock
Bay colt
Born March 9, 2021
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Keith Asmussen
Owner: BC Stables
Bred in Kentucky by Summerhill Farm
11 starts, 2 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third, and earnings of $724,545

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Finished 2nd in the Arkansas Derby (G1)
Finished 2nd in the Southwest Stakes (G3)
Finished 2nd in the Smarty Jones Stakes

2023

Won the Ed Brown Stakes

Just Steel comes into the Kentucky Derby as the most seasoned contender with 11 starts. While the son of Triple Crown winner Justify has had a winless three-year-old season, he has always been in the money. Eight-eight year old trainer D Wayne Lukas looks for his 5th career win in the Kentucky Derby with hard knocking Just Steel. He will be piloted by Keith Asmussen, son of fellow Hall Of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. Keith only started riding full time in 2022 as more of a fever dream, which has now come full circle as he finds himself with his first Kentucky Oaks and Derby mount.

7. HONOR MARIE, 20-1

Honor Code – Dame Marie, by Smart Strike
Bay colt
Born May 4, 2021
Trainer: Whit Beckman
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Owner: Ribble Farms, Michael H. Eiserman, Earl I. Silver, Kenneth E. Fishbein, and Dave Fishbein
Bred in Kentucky by Royce Pulliam
5 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, and earnings of $526,175

Stakes Wins/Places

2024
Finished 2nd in the Louisiana Derby (G2)

2023
Won the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2)

Honor Marie was outrun two starts out in the Risen Star to be 5th with fellow Kentucky Derby contenders Sierra Leone, Track Phantom and Catching Freedom beating him that day. He came back to run second to hard closing Catching Freedom in the Louisiana Derby. He does carry a lot of stamina and a deep closing running style that his connections think will bid well for the derby. Honor Maries worst efforts have been on a muddy track which is something to note if inclement weather leaves us with an off track at post time.

8. JUST A TOUCH, 10-1

Justify – Touching Beauty, by Tapit
Bay colt
Born May 5, 2021
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Owner: Qatar Racing, Resolute Racing and Marc Detampel
Bred in Kentucky by Don Alberto Corporation
3 starts, 1 win, 2 seconds, and earnings of $281,700

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Finished 2nd in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1)
Finished 2nd in the Gotham Stakes (G3)

Just a Touch was unraced at two and just began his career this year as a three year old, which shows with his light race record. This type of record used to be filed under the “Curse of Apollo,” in which no horse unraced at two had won the Kentucky Derby since Apollo in 1882. That is until it was broken by Just a Touch’s sire, Justify, in 2018 on his way to becoming the 13th Triple Crown winner. While Just A Touch has yet to win at three, he has gathered his Derby points with some very game second place finishes and his trainer Brad Cox really feels he is on the improve coming into the Kentucky Derby.

9. ENCINO, Scratched

Nyquist – Glittering Jewel, by Bernardini
Dark bay colt
Born March 14, 2021
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Axel Concepcion
Owner: Godolphin
Bred in Kentucky by Godolphin
4 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, and earnings of $378,315

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Won the Lexington Stakes (G3)
Won the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes

10. T O PASSWORD, 30-1

Copano Rickey – T O Rachel, by King Kamehameha
Bay colt
Born May 20, 2021
Trainer: Daisuke Takayanagi
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
Owner: Tomoya Ozasa
Bred in Japan by Yanagawa Bokujo
2 starts, 2 wins, and earnings of $163,339

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Won the Fukuryu Stakes

TO Password ships in from Japan after winning the Fukuryu Stakes on the Japanese road to the Kentucky Derby. He comes into the race the least experienced but still undefeated, with only two starts under his belt and off of a big trip. He will likely go off as the longest shot on the odds board.

11. FOREVER YOUNG, 10-1

Real Steel – Forever Darling, by Congrats
Bay colt
February 24, 2021
Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
Owner: Susumu Fujita
Bred in Japan by Northern Racing
5 starts, 5 wins, and earnings of $2,049,451

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Won the UAE Derby (G2)
Won the Saudi Derby (G3)

2023

Won the Zennippon Nisai Yushun
Won the JBC Nisai Yushun

Forever Young is the other contender for Japan and he comes into the Kentucky Derby as one of two undefeated horses in the field, but with far more experience. Forever Young is world traveled with wins in Japan, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. While a UAE Derby winner has yet to ship into Kentucky and win, this is a very strong contender and should not be discounted. All of Forever Young’s chart notes list “Driven to win, Easily,” and this horse could very well give Japan their first Kentucky Derby win. However, their main concern will be how he handles kickback from the other contenders if he cannot make the lead early.

12. TRACK PHANTOM, 20-1

Quality Road – Miss Sunset, by Into Mischief
Bay colt
Born February 17, 2021
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Owner: L and N Racing, Clark Brewster, Jerry Caroom, and Breeze Easy
Bred in Kentucky by Breeze Easy
7 starts, 3 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, and earnings of $405,000

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Won the Lecomte Stakes (G3)
Finished 2nd in the Risen Star Stakes (G2)

2023

Won the Gun Runner Stakes

Track Phantom showed a ton of promise in his late two year old year and early three year old seasons, but his form seems to have plateaued. He comes into the Kentucky Derby off a lackluster performance to be fourth in the Louisiana Derby last out. Prior to that he ran second to Sierra Leone in the Risen Star. With his front running style and recent struggles to handle the added distance of the prep races, it bears into question if he can get the job done here.

13. WEST SARATOGA, 50-1

Exaggerator – Mo Wicked, by Uncle Mo
Gray or roan colt
Born March 19, 2021
Trainer: Larry Demeritte
Jockey: Jesus Castanon
Owner: Harry L. Veruchi
Bred in Kentucky by Two Hearts Farm II
10 starts, 2 wins, 5 seconds, 1 third, and earnings of $460,140

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Finished 2nd in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3)
Finished 2nd in the Pasco Stakes
Finished 3rd in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3)

2023

Won the Iroquois Stakes (G3)

West Saratoga is the only grey horse running in the 150th Kentucky Derby. He comes in off a very game second place finish in the Jeff Ruby Steaks after being forced to travel wide the entire race. While he has never won running two turns, he has always hit the board. He has more experience than most of the contenders with 10 starts and is sired by Preakness winner Exaggerator who has the lowest breeding fee of any sire in the field at $5000.

14. ENDLESSLY, 30-1

Oscar Performance – Dream Fuhrever, by Langfuhr
Bay colt
Born March 25, 2021
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Owner: Amerman Racing
Bred in Kentucky by Mrs. Jerry Amerman
6 starts, 5 wins, and earnings of $707,200

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Won the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3)
Won the El Camino Real Derby

2023

Won the Zuma Beach Stakes (G3T)
Won the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes (G3T)

Endlessly comes into the Kentucky Derby with no dirt surface experience — he gathered all of his points on synthetic surfaces and ran mainly on turf as a two year old. He runs with a classic turf style of staying behind horses in cover and then swinging out into the clear to run on by. His last start in the Jeff Ruby Steaks showed a very tactical trip where he rated comfortably and ran home four lengths clear. While he has no dirt experience, he cannot be discounted. In 2011 the winner of the Kentucky Derby was Animal Kingdom, who also had never ran on dirt and won off the same prep race.

15. DOMESTIC PRODUCT, 30-1

Practical Joke – Goods and Services, by Paynter
Dark bay colt
Born February 22, 2021
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Owner: Klaravich Stables
Bred in Kentucky by Klaravich Stables
5 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, and earnings of $314,200
Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Won the Tampa Bay Derby (G3)
Finished 2nd in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3)

Domestic Product comes in off an impressive win in the Tampa Bay Derby where he struggled with traffic to prevail in the stretch duel by a neck. He showed a lot of game in that last prep, which should boost his confidence coming into the Kentucky Derby. His last race before that was in the Holy Bull where he prevailed for second over odds on favorite Fierceness. While his mid pack stalking style has worked for him in the past, it has always been accomplished with a slow pace setter out front. The real question for Domestic Product is can he handle staying with a fast pace out front and the added distance of a mile and a quarter.

16. GRAND MO THE FIRST, 50-1

Uncle Mo – Lilies So Fair, by Giant’s Causeway
Dark bay colt
Born February 6, 2021
Trainer: Victor Barboza Jr.
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo
Owner: Granpollo Stables
Bred in Kentucky by John D. Gunther
6 starts, 2 wins, 4 thirds, and earnings of $214,650

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Finished 3rd in the Florida Derby (G1)
Finished 3rd in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3)
Finished 3rd in the Swale Stakes

2023

Finished 3rd in the Zuma Beach (G3T)

Grand Mo The First gained his qualifying points off multiple minor placings, but has always found a way to get his piece. On paper he does appear to be rather outclassed in this field from a speed rating perspective. He will be looking to produce the best effort of his career to be a factor here.

17. FIERCENESS, 5-2

City of Light – Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty
Bay colt
Born March 28, 2021
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
Owner: Repole Stable
Bred in Kentucky by Repole Stable
5 starts, 3 wins, 1 third, and earnings of $1,703,850

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Won the Florida Derby (G1)
Finished 3rd in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3)

2023

Won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)

Fierceness comes into the Kentucky Derby the heavy favorite after a dominating victory in the Florida Derby, but he has had a couple notable bobbles in his career. His trainer Todd Pletcher stated after a troubled trip in the Holy Bull, “If he doesn’t get away well, he doesn’t get into the race the same way.” The number 17 post position might prove tricky for his front running style, and we can expect for him to be sent hard from the gate for the lead and to be clear of traffic. The number 17 post position does also hold its own superstitions, in 149 runnings of the Kentucky Derby, no horse has won from post 17.

18. STRONGHOLD, 20-1

Ghostzapper – Spectator, by Jimmy Creed
Bay colt
Born January 24, 2021
Trainer: Philip D’Amato
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Owner: Eric Waller & Sharon Waller
Bred in Kentucky by Eric Waller & Sharon Waller
6 starts, 3 wins, 3 seconds, and earnings of $827,200

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Won the Santa Anita Derby (G1)
Won the Sunland Park Derby (G3)

2023

Finished 2nd in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2)
Finished 2nd in the Bob Hope Stakes (G3)

Stronghold is the most traveled contender of the Kentucky Derby. He has ran at a different track in each of his six starts and has never finished worse than second. He is also one of the few with experience running at Churchill Downs, having broke his maiden here. Stronghold has defied his prominent sprinter based pedigree to be able to stretch out to the more classic distances and hold his own. He comes in off the win in the Santa Anita Derby which is the one prep to produce the most Kentucky Derby winners in recent years. Stronghold is also a fourth generation homebred for the Waller family and only their second graded stakes champion.

19. RESILIENCE, 20-1

Into Mischief – Meadowsweet, by Smart Strike
Bay colt
Born March 24, 2021
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado
Owner: Emily Bushnell & Ric Waldman
Bred in Kentucky by Pam & Martin Wygod
6 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third, and earnings of $494,630

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Won the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2)

Resilience finished fourth in the Risen Star against other Kentucky Derby contenders, including Sierra Leone, Track Phantom and Catching Freedom, but his rider felt he had a troubled trip. Next race out in the Wood Memorial they opted to add blinkers to Resilience and he ran away with the win confidently from off the pace. He seems to be improving the more races he runs and the more distance is handed to him. Look for him to improve in the Derby coming off his last prep win.

20. SOCIETY MAN, 50-1

Good Magic – You Cheated, by Colonel John
Chestnut gelding
Born April 19, 2021
Trainer: Danny Gargan
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Owner: West Paces Racing, Danny Gargan & GMP Stables
Bred in Kentucky by SF Bloodstock
5 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 1 third, and earnings of $196,705

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Finished 2nd in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2)

Society Man is the only gelding in the field of the 150th Kentucky Derby. He comes in off a second place finish in the Wood Memorial at odds of 106-1. While being more of a closer in other races, they decided to try a stalking trip in the Wood Memorial, which he executed well to get up for second. Society Man is showing great improvement in form coming into the Derby but he will need to put in a strong effort here to make an impact.

21. EPIC RIDE, 30-1

Blame – Pick a Time, by Gio Ponti
Bay colt
Born May 17, 2021
Trainer: John Ennis
Jockey: Adam Beschizza
Owner: Welch Racing
Bred in Kentucky by Fred W. Hertrich III
5 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, and earnings of $253,166

Stakes Wins/Places

2024

Won the Leonatus Stakes
Finished 2nd in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes
Finished 3rd in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1)

Epic Ride comes in off the Also Eligible list following the scratch of Encino. He comes in off a third place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes behind Sierra Leone and Just A Touch. Epic Ride’s pedigree says he should be able to go the mile and quarter, but if he has the speed will be the main question.

Also Eligible: 22. Mugatu, 30-1

Blofeld – Union Way, by Union Rags
Chestnut colt
Born April 17, 2021
Trainer: Jeff Engler
Jockey: Joe Talamo
Owner: Average Joe Racing Stables and Dan Wells
Bred in Kentucky by JSM Equine
12 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 3 thirds, and earnings of $80,570

So who do YOU think will come out on top this year? Cast your vote below.