Did Shrinking Odds Predict Fiereceness’ Kentucky Derby Downfall? Horse Racing Fans Express Sorrow: “Biggest Fraud”

With $5 million at stake, all eyes were on the betting odds and the 20 contenders battling for a spot in the 150th Kentucky Derby. Fierceness entered the race as a huge favorite among the contenders. If he had won, Fierceness would have been the first favorite to win the Kentucky Derby since 2018. Earlier in the week, Fierceness opened with Morning Line odds of 3-1. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Fierceness had shown strong performances, finishing first and third in his two starts this season and winning two out of three starts in 2023.

His impressive win in the Florida Derby in March, where he surged ahead by 13.5 lengths down the stretch, solidified his position as a favorite. However, as the race drew closer, Fierceness’ odds began to shrink, indicating that more and more people were betting on him to win. Yet despite this, the Todd Pletcher-trained horse was labeled a “biggest fraud” when he couldn’t match this expectation.

According to Yahoo! Sport, at the beginning of the week, Fierceness had Morning Line odds of 3-1, which means that for every $1 you bet on him, you would win $3 if he won. But as the race got closer, more people were betting on Fierceness, so the bookmakers kept adjusting his odds. On May 4, ahead of the race, with the competition fierce and the stakes high, Fierceness emerged as the early favorite, with odds of 5-2 of winning the Garland of Roses. However, by the time the race happened, his odds had drifted out to 7-2.

As the race unfolded, Mystik Dan, ridden by Brian Hernandez, Jr., was declared the winner of the 150th Kentucky Derby, triumphing over 19 other three-year-old horses, including the favorite, Fierceness, in a thrilling race. Mystik Dan was considered a long shot, entering the race with 18-1 odds. Whereas Fierceness was expected to win the race, his jockey, John Velazquez, hoped to become the fourth jockey ever to win the race four times or more. However, Fierceness faced tough odds; no horse had ever won from the No. 17 post, and he ultimately finished in 15th place. This unexpected loss, despite initially being favored, left the horse racing community shocked and disappointed.

Horse racing fan label the Todd Pletcher-trained horse a “fraud”

Fans took to the social media platform X to express their frustration about Fierceness’ loss and his failure to even make it into the top three at the 2024 Kentucky Derby. One concerned fan shared that they caught a glimpse of Fierceness struggling post-race, noting that NBC Sports’ cameras had captured and broadcasted it, and questioned the story behind his apparent struggle.

Another disappointed fan questioned what had happened to Fierceness, especially since he was favored to win. They expressed their disbelief, saying they thought Fierceness was a sure thing, but his 15th-place finish left them baffled.

One fan even labeled the horse a “fraud,” expressing their frustration with his performance and stating that he was still running.

Meanwhile, another fan shared their disappointment, describing Fierceness’ performance as going “out like a light” and expressing their disappointment with his unexpected and disappointing finish.

As we reflect on this fan sentiment on Fierceness’s odds and his performance, what are your thoughts? Comment below!