With more than three weeks until the big day, the lineup for the Kentucky Derby 2024 is still up in the air. Everyone is still waiting to see which horses will make it to the starting line at Churchill Downs, and even more, who will be riding them.
The list compiled in this article shows the top 20 horses leading the race to qualify. Usually, the jockey who rode the horse in its last race will team up with it again for the Derby. Read on to find out who’s leading the pack and who might be making headlines this year.
Jockey Decisions and Strategies
In the exciting buildup to the 2024 Kentucky Derby, decisions on which jockey will ride which horse are starting to solidify, but not without some strategic moves and changes. Tyler Gaffalione, who clinched victories at the Blue Grass (Grade 1) in Sierra Leone and at the Tampa Bay Derby (Grade 3) on Domestic Product, both horses trained by Chad Brown, has made a choice. He will stick with Sierra Leone for the Derby, leaving Irad Ortiz Jr. to take the reins on Domestic Product.
Similarly, John Velazquez, who rode Fierceness to a win in the Grade 1 Florida Derby and took Resilience across the finish line first in the Wood Memorial (Grade 3), will be pairing up with Fierceness for the big race. This decision suggests that Bill Mott is likely to go with Junior Alvarado for Resilience, reinstating the horse’s regular rider for the Derby.
Joel Rosario, who has built a successful partnership with Track Phantom over the last three races, will continue this collaboration for the Kentucky Derby. This choice by the team means Christophe Clement needs to scout for a new jockey for Deterministic, who has had a mixed bag of performances but showed promise by winning the Gotham (Grade 3) with Rosario.
Adding international flair to the competition, Kazushi Kimura primarily races at Santa Anita and Woodbine but will be taking the lead for Japan’s T O Password, marking an exciting entry from overseas.
Notably, some big names like Jose Ortiz, Manny Franco, and Frankie Dettori are still on the lookout for mounts, which adds another layer of intrigue to the pre-race preparations. These strategic jockey decisions not only impact the horses and their teams but also play a significant role in the Kentucky Derby odds, influencing predictions and bets as the race day approaches.
Top Contenders for Kentucky Derby 2024
- Sierra Leone
- Fierceness
- Catching Freedom
- Stronghold
- Resilience
- Forever Young
- Endlessly
- Dornoch
- Just a Touch
- Track Phantom
- West Saratoga
- Just Steel
- Honor Marie
- Domestic Product
- Catalytic
- Deterministic
- Society Man
- Mystik Dan
- No More Time
- T O Password
The Takeaway
As the Kentucky Derby 2024 approaches, the excitement builds not just around the horses but also the skilled jockeys who will guide them. With strategic choices already shaping the lineup, fans and bettors alike are eager to see how these decisions will influence the final race.
The blend of experience, skill, and a touch of international talent promises a thrilling event at Churchill Downs. Get ready to witness a spectacular display of horse racing at its finest!
