The Kentucky Derby is 150 years old on Saturday, which means it has survived two world wars, the Great Depression, and multiple pandemics. Watching the first leg of the Triple Crown of horse racing is expected to draw over 150,000 spectators to Churchill Downs.
Before Saturday’s race, a couple of favorites stand out: Fierceness, now handicapped at 5-2, and Sierra Leone, with odds of 3-1. Before you head to the venue or stream from the comfort of your home, here’s a detailed report to select your favorite in the race with laid-out Derby odds.
Battle of the favorites: Does Sierra Leone have an advantage over Fierceness? Know the strengths and the weaknesses
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
With two victories under his belt, Fierceness has a 110 Equibase Speed Score, which is unmatched in America’s only 20-horse event this weekend. One of the two horses competing on Saturday with a higher average than Fierceness is Sierra Leone. Hence, among the top contenders is Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone is the second favorite with the odds, just behind Fierceness. But Sierra Leone does have a few advantages to Fierceness, chief among them being average speed(98.3).
Following the most spectacular prep season display, a 13 ½-length victory in the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, Fierceness is the morning-line favorite. meanwhile, after a win in the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland, Sierra Leone is the second choice strictly by the odds. He has won three of his four career races, missing the fourth one by a hair.
Who Could Win at the 2024 Kentucky Derby? Sierra Leone or Fierceness? A Comparison of the Jockeys and the Trainers
Fierceness is a homebred to owner Mike Repole and is a son of City of Light. Trainer Todd Pletcher humorously said, “Sixty percent of the time, he wins every time.” Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez with three Kentucky Derby wins under his belt including a missed fourth time in 2021 will be riding Fierceness this Saturday. Speaking about the odds, Fierceness is believed to be less competitive when starting from the outside post. Critics think Fierceness could get caught wide with other speed at the starting gate reported CBS Sports.
In his seventh Kentucky Derby run, Sierra Leone, son of Gun Runner, is attempting to improve on his record of 0-for-6 Run for the Roses. Trainer Chad Brown is an early-line favorite at 3/1. The three-year-old horse will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione in the saddle. In addition, there’s the highest price tag from any horse nominated for the 2024 Triple Crown races at $2.3 million. So, if you had to choose between the two options, the chances seem to be eventually in favor of Sierra Leone.
Whom the Odds Are Favoring in the Kentucky Derby? Into the details
After winning his debut in August by 11 ¼ lengths on a muddy Saratoga track, Fierceness made an eternal mark. However, he had a poor performance in the Grade 1 Champagne at Aqueduct, starting slowly and ending up in ninth. Fierceness’s career has been filled with ups and downs since then. He won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at 16-1 odds, finished third in his Grade 3 Holy Bull debut, and then put on a dominant display in the Florida Derby, where he earned a field-best 110 Beyer Speed Figure.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
On the other hand, Sierra Leone made his debut at Aqueduct in November of last year and lost to Dornoch by a nose on a sloppy track in the Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct. This year, he has won both the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland and the Grade 2 Rising Star at Fair Grounds, making him 2 for 2.
The money at stake: Know the prize money, earnings, and more
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
It’s Derby Day on Saturday. Watch it live on NBC and Peacock, commencing at 2:30 p.m. ET till 7:30 p.m. ET. Out of all the Triple Crown races, the Kentucky Derby has the biggest reward. For the 150th running of the Derby has come up with a $5 million reward, including $3.1 million for the winning owner. The winner in first place will receive $3.1 million, while the jockey will receive $310,000. The second place will earn $500,000, the third place will earn $500,000, the fourth place will earn $250,000, and the fifth place will earn $150,000.
In this special May the fourth anniversary, America’s longest-running sporting event will once again put up the “most exciting two minutes in sports” and let the outrageously large, intricate, and visually stunning hats steal the show.
