With the Kentucky Derby fast approaching, let's take a look at FanDuel's futures odds on top contenders for this year's "Run for the Roses" the first Saturday in May.
The Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races have concluded. Derby favorite Fierceness (pictured above) won the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. Sierra Leone, second in the betting odds, captured the victory in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.
FanDuel Racing is giving new customers a $500 "No Sweat Win Bet" that can be claimed now ahead of the Kentucky Derby.
2024 Kentucky Derby odds at FanDuel Racing
Here's a look at early Kentucky Derby odds from FanDuel:
| Horse | Trainer | FanDuel Odds |
| Fierceness | Todd Pletcher | 2-1 |
| Sierra Leone | Chad Brown | 6-1 |
| Catching Freedom | Brad Cox | 8-1 |
| Forever Young | Yoshito Yahagi | 10-1 |
| Dornoch | Danny Gargan | 12-1 |
| Deterministic | Christophe Clement | 15-1 |
| Honor Marie | D. Whitworth Beckman | 20-1 |
| Just Steel | D. Wayne Lukas | 25-1 |
| Just A Touch | Brad Cox | 30-1 |
| Mystik Dan | Kenny McPeek | 30-1 |
| Track Phantom | Steve Asmussen | 30-1 |
| Tuscan Sky | Todd Pletcher | 30-1 |
Kentucky Derby morning line odds for the full field -- and betting at FanDuel -- will be available starting on May 3 at 9 a.m. ET. The Kentucky Derby typically features 20 horses in the starting gate.
Top contenders in 2024 Kentucky Derby
Here's a look at some of the top Kentucky Derby contenders based on odds at FanDuel.
Fierceness (2-1 odds)
Fierceness got out early and scored a 13.5-length victory in the Florida Derby (G1) his last time out. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez was in the stirrups for Fierceness, who's registered three wins in five career starts.
Fierceness also romped to victory in the 2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. It hasn't been all sunshine for Fierceness, who struggled to a seventh-place finish in last year's Champagne Stakes.
Sierra Leone (6-1 odds)
Sierra Leone objected to loading in the starting gate prior to winning the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.
Sierra Leone went from ninth to first down the stretch to win the Blue Grass. He won by 1.5 lengths over runner-up Just a Touch. That strong closing kick portends good things for the Kentucky Derby, which is contested over 1-1/4 miles.
Tyler Gaffalione is expected to be the jockey again for Sierra Leone.
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Catching Freedom (8-1 odds)
With three wins in five career starts, Catching Freedom is coming off a victory in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby back in March. Trainer Brad Cox and jockey Flavien Prat both have one win in the Kentucky Derby.
Catching Freedom will have some good vibes heading back to Churchill Downs, where he won his maiden race. He also ran to victory in the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park.
Forever Young (10-1 odds)
This Japanese horse has scored wins in all four career starts, with none of them coming in the United States. Check Forever Young's most recent run to victory in the UAE Derby in Meydan.
🇯🇵He does it again! #5 FOREVER YOUNG remains undefeated, winning Meydan's $1 million UAE Derby (G2) in style! pic.twitter.com/acv8zx1Aq8
— TVG (@TVG) March 30, 2024
Forever Young previously won the Saudi Derby, and he's an intriguing pick at these odds to win this year's "Run for the Roses."
Dornoch (12-1 odds)
Dornoch entered the Kentucky Derby conversation after winning the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park in early March.
That effort marked Dornoch's third consecutive win for trainer Danny Gargan. Most recently, however, Dornoch struggled to a fourth-place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes.
Perhaps pedigree is on his side here. Dornoch is a full brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage.
2024 Kentucky Derby date, post time, how to watch
- Race Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
- Track: Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
- Post Time: 6:57 p.m. ET
- Distance: 1-1/4 miles
- TV: NBC
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