Kentucky Derby 2024 Lineup: Post Positions for All Entries of 150th Race | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Sierra Leone

Fierceness might be the odds-on favorite, but there are multiple reasons to be weary of the hype. For one, no one has ever won while breaking out of the 17th post. There are a lot of things that can go wrong while navigating such a large field early on.

While Fierceness showed off tantalizing potential in the Florida Derby, it was preceded by a third-place finish at the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes. He only posted a 90 Equibase speed figure in that race.

Sierra Leone doesn't have the same inconsistency and has posted at least a 98 speed figure in each of his last three races. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Kentucky-bred horse become the favorite by post time.

Just A Touch

At 10-1 odds, Just A Touch is far from chalk.

He does have the bloodlines for it, though. The son of 2018 Triple Crown winner, Justify, he should have the mettle to cover the 1¼-mile track.

Sierra Leone outran him down the stretch in his second-place finish at the Blue Grass Stakes, but there could be some untapped potential in the colt given his lack of experience. He didn't race as a two-year-old and is just three races in.

On one hand, there's a risk to picking a horse with so little experience in a race as big as this one. On the other, there's a good chance we haven't seen his best racing. He might just use the spotlight of the Derby to show another gear.

Catching Freedom

Catching Freedom shouldn't be discounted. It's possible he's been lost in the shuffle as he hasn't been raced in the last five weeks. Instead, the Brad Cox trainee has been given some time off since winning the Louisiana Derby on March 23.

He's been a consistent runner in three starts this year. He maintained a busy schedule to kick off the year with a win at the Smarty Jones Stakes on New Year's Day and a third-place finish at the Risen Star Stakes on February 17.

Still, he has looked impressive in workouts under the Twin Spires. He isn't the flashy choice, but he's been remarkably consistent and has improved every time he's been run.

Given the extra rest and a competitive field, he could be a good sleeper pick to break out in the Run for the Roses.