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2024 Kentucky Derby Picks: Stronghold, Resilience, Society Man

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The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious and highly-anticipated events in the world of horse racing. Held annually on the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby attracts horse racing enthusiasts from all over the world. The Derby is a 1 ¼ mile race for three-year-old thoroughbreds and is often referred to as “the most exciting two minutes in sports.” Let’s take a look at the current 2024 Kentucky Derby odds, post positions, and expert advice for Stronghold, Resilience, and Society Man heading into the 150th Run for the Roses.

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2023 Kentucky Derby Predictions: Stronghold

  • Post Position: 18
  • Odds: 20-1

Stronghold is sired by Ghostzapper and inherited his winning ability as evidenced by a 3-3-0 record in six career races. However, his speed ratings have yet to surpass 95. This relatively low of a rating has not been a fore bearer of Derby success but bu his 92 rating in his Santa Anita Derby victory could be partially explained away by the deep sands of Santa Anita.

The SA Derby has produced ?? Derby winners so he is a tough horse to crack here. Include in exotics but the lack of Raceday speed scares me as he hasn’t;’t run against anyone with a Straight-8 engine, so to speak. Winning form but may be in over his head in this company.

– Luke Monaldo

Bet: Longshot, Use in Back

2023 Kentucky Derby Predictions: Resilience

  • Post Position: 19
  • Odds: 20-1

Resilience earned his second-career win his last time out at the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, a race that wound up being a career-best performance. Resilience posted his highest speed figure and won the race by 2 ¼ lengths. Resilience will be the first representative in the Kentucky Derby for owners Emily Bushnell and Ric Waldman. He is trained by longtime trainer Bill Mott, who is just 1-for-12 in the Derby and only won with Country House in 2019 due to disqualification.

Jockey Junior Alvarado hasn’t fared much better, going 0-for-4 in the Run for the Roses with his best finish being fourth in 2016. While it’s most recent effort gives it some intrigue, Resilience isn’t a horse I’ll be targeting to win or at the top of my tickets.

– Matt Barbato

Bet: Longshot, Use in Back End of Exotics

2023 Kentucky Derby Predictions: Society Man

  • Post Position: 20
  • Odds: 50-1

Society Man is deservedly a longshot in the 150th Kentucky Derby. However, this horse has defied the odds before. The one-time winner posted his highest speed figure of his career in a second-place finish at the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at 106-1 closing odds. Trainer Danny Gargan has only one Derby appearance, a 14th-place finish with Tax in 2019.

But the more interesting story is jockey Frankie Dettori, who will return to the Run for the Roses for the first time since 2000. While Society Man has delivered with lofty odds before, he could be overmatched against easily the toughest field he’ll contend against.

– Matt Barbato

Bet: Use in Back End of Exotics

2024 Kentucky Derby Horse Previews, Picks & Predictions

Check out our previews for every horse competing in the 2024 Kentucky Derby and our expert analysis on the best bets for this year’s Run for the Roses.

Kentucky Derby Post Positions & Odds

Post Position Horse Trainer Name Jockey Name Odds
1 Dornoch Danny Gargan Luis Saez 20-1
2 Sierra Leone Chad Brown Tyler Gaffalione 3-1
3 Mystik Dan Kenny McPeek Brian Hernandez Jr. 20-1
4 Catching Freedom Brad Cox Flavien Prat 8-1
5 Catalytic Saffie Joseph Jr. Jose Ortiz 30-1
6 Just Steel D. Wayne Lukas Keith Asmussen 20-1
7 Honor Marie Whit Beckman Ben Curtis 20-1
8 Just a Touch Brad Cox Florent Geroux 10-1
9 Encino Brad Cox Axel Concepcion 20-1
10 T O Password Daisuke Takayanagi Kazushi Kimura 30-1
11 Forever Young Yoshito Yahagi Ryusei Sakai 10-1
12 Track Phantom Steve Asmussen Joel Rosario 20-1
13 West Saratoga Larry Demeritte Jesus Castanon 50-1
14 Endlessly Michael McCarthy Umberto Rispoli 30-1
15 Domestic Product Chad Brown Irad Ortiz Jr. 30-1
16 Grand Mo the First Victor Barboza Jr. Emisael Jaramillo 50-1
17 Fierceness Todd Pletcher John Velazquez 5-2
18 Stronghold Phil D’Amato Antonio Fresu 20-1
19 Resilience Bill Mott Junior Alvarado 20-1
20 Society Man Danny Gargan Frankie Dettori 50-1
21* Epic Ride John Ennis Adam Beschizza 50-1
22* Mugatu Jeff Engler Joe Talamo 50-1

* Epic Ride is replacing Encino. Mugatu would replace any other scratches ahead of the weekend.

More Kentucky Derby Betting Advice

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