As Kentucky Derby Countdown Begins, Horse Racing Champs Fierceness, Locked, and More Gallop Into the Spotlight

One of the most prestigious American Thoroughbred Grade 1 stakes, the Kentucky Derby, has seen several athletes etch their names in history. As the first leg of the Triple Crown, the race welcomes horse racing fanatics on the first Saturday in May. After years of successful racing at Churchill Downs, ‘The Run for the Roses’ will surface with another fresh set of icons this year. But there’s a twist this time.

The twist is, the Kentucky Derby will celebrate its 150th anniversary on May 4, 2024. As exciting as it sounds, this year’s run for the title would be a scene to marvel at. As the excitement of the horse racing world surges, it’s a matter of 4 months to see which equine gets adorned with the bed of roses. Here’s the list to take your pick already.

Horse racing icons grace the Kentucky Derby leaderboard

The horses running and tossing their mane is a show the elite society would pay for. Waiting the entire year for the first Saturday of May to arrive, the horse racing world would be elated to check the leaderboard out this time. Kentucky Derby’s official X handle has posted, “Updated. Road to the 150th Kentucky Derby Leaderboard”. As already visible from the roster, the champion horses have already secured the top spots. But a special shout out to Fierceness and Locked, sitting on 1st and 2nd with 30 and 19 points, respectively.

A total of 20 horses would hit the tracks for the toughest bout of the season. Out of them, 18 horses will be the top earners in the US, one will be a Japanese racehorse and the 20th horse will be from Europe. Since it’s not just the horses rooting for victory, the village behind them gets equally invested in the prep process ahead of the big event. Along similar lines, Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher-trained Fierceness may explore different routes to reach Kentucky in 2024.

Owner Repole had everything planned

The champion Breeder’s Cup Juvenile is in good hands. His owner, Mike Repole, although elated with his equine’s career graph, has mindfully planned 2024. “It’s early, but if all goes well, I think we’re going to do something different and run [Fierceness] in the Holy Bull (G3) [in February]”.

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Moving on, he added, “Then maybe the Florida Derby and skip the Fountain Youth,” Repole told bloodhorse.com. “That gives him eight weeks to his final prep and then five or four weeks before the Kentucky Derby. That’s the route we’re going to take rather than start in the Fountain of Youth.” Opening up about his strategies to bloodhorse.com, Repole sounded confident of the Derby win this time.

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