2024 Kentucky Derby Picks: Stronghold, Resilience, Society Man

by BettingPros Staff |
May 03, 2024

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 1/4 mile race for three-year-old thoroughbreds and is often referred to as "the most exciting two minutes in sports." Letâ€™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.

â€“ 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 1/4 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.

â€“ 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.

â€“ 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.

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