Kentucky Derby Contenders: Get To Know The Field

The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

With as many as 20 horses able to break from the gate at once, the horse race traditionally known as “The Greatest Two Minutes In Sports” brings non-stop action-packed excitement from start to finish.

So who are the contenders for the 2024 edition? Find out below!

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Sierra Leone

All-around top trainer Chad Brown’s Sierra Leone earned a total of 155 points, leading all 2024 Kentucky Derby contenders. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione was aboard the deep closer to win the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) in his most recent start.

Fierceness

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher’s Fierceness earned a total of 136 points, most recently when jockey John Velazquez piloted him gate to wire for a record-breaking margin of victory in the Florida Derby (G1).

Catching Freedom

Trainer Brad Cox’s Catching Freedom earned a total of 125 points, with his biggest victory to date coming in the Louisiana Derby (G2) under jockey Flavien Prat.

Stronghold

Trainer Phil D’Amato will saddle his first Kentucky Derby contender in Stronghold, whose 125 earned points include a hard-fought victory in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) with jockey Antonio Fresu aboard.

Resilience

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott’s Resilience won the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) under jockey John Velazquez to compile the lion’s share of his 110 total earned points.

Forever Young

The undefeated Forever Young‘s first start on North American soil will be in the Kentucky Derby following his UAE Derby (G2) victory. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi and jockey Ryusei Sakai are elite connections from the horse’s native Japan who are no stranger to racing on the world’s biggest stages.

Endlessly

Trainer Michael McCarthy’s first Kentucky Derby starter will be Endlessly, who earned his 100 points by way of winning the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) under Umberto Rispoli.

Dornoch

With 75 total points earned, the Danny Gargan-trained Dornoch will attempt to repeat what full brother Mage did last year – win the Kentucky Derby. Jockey Luis Saez rode him to a front-running victory in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).

Just a Touch

The lightly-raced Just a Touch will make just his 4th career start in the Kentucky Derby, but the Brad Cox trainee has never finished worse than second. With 75 total points to his name, he was most recently second in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) under jockey Florent Geroux.

Track Phantom

While he’s the winningest trainer in American horse racing history, Steve Asmussen is still seeking his 1st victory in the Kentucky Derby. Track Phantom was a consistent runner all year at Fair Grounds, compiling 70 total points and winning the Lecomte Stakes (G3) under Hall of Fame jockey Joel Rosario.