Kentucky Derby 2024 odds and predictions: Who is the favorite to win?

This year’s current favorite to win the Kentucky Derby is Fierceness, at 5-2, thanks to his sheer speed. The colt has recorded the highest speed score of any horse in the field, with the only doubt being whether he can do it on a possibly rainy (forecasters say there’s a 50% chance of showers and storms) Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

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Experts have pointed to his somewhat faulty consistency as a reason to think he may not have it all his own way over the famed track.

Fierceness is followed by Sierra Leone at 3-1 and Catching Freedom at 8-1.

The Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby will be held, as tradition dictates, this Saturday, May 4 - the first Saturday in May. This year sees the 150th running of the most watched horse race in the world. 20 three-year-old Thoroughbred horses take part in the race over the 1 and one quarter mile track to decide the winner of the first leg of what is known as the Triple Crown (the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes).

The winner takes home $3.1 million, doubling last year’s prize. Second prize is $1 million, third is $500,000, fourth is $250,000 and fifth $150,000.

Full list of horses and odds

1) Fierceness: 5-2

2) Sierra Leone: 3-1

3) Catching Freedom: 8-1

T-4) Forever Young: 10-1

T-4) Just a Touch: 10-1

T-6) Dornoch: 20-1

T-6) Mystik Dan: 20-1

T-6) Just Steel: 20-1

T-6) Honor Marie: 20-1

T-6) Track Phantom: 20-1

T-6) Stronghold: 20-1

T-6) Resilience: 20-1

T-13) Catalytic: 30-1

T-13) T O Password: 30-1

T-13) Endlessly: 30-1

T-13) Domestic Product: 30-1

T-13) Epic Ride: 30-1 (fill-in for scratch Encino)

T-18) West Saratoga: 50-1

T-18) Grand Mo the First: 50-1

T-18) Society Man: 50-1

When does the Kentucky Derby get underway?

Coverage of the race starts at 2.30 p.m. ET, with the race itself underway at 6.57 p.m.

Good luck and remember if you do bet, do so responsibly. And if you don’t have a clue who to bet on, why not consider the meanings behind the horse names and use that as you far-from-scientific method of being a genius.