How to bet Kentucky Derby 2024: Horses, odds, favorites, tips - ESPN

The 150th Kentucky Derby is set for May 4 with 20 of the best horses in the world facing off in the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Each horse has been bred for speed and distance and for most of these horses, this moment is three years in the making. It's a chance to not only win the Derby, but possibly the Triple Crown. Ahead of this year's race, Churchill Downs invested $200 million to update the paddock and raised the purse to $5 million.

While sports betting continues to grow around the United States, wagering on horses, whether at the track or through off-track betting outlets has long been part of racing history.

Here's what you need to know to bet on the Kentucky Derby, plus some of the bets I like for Saturday:

16. Fierceness (5-2) Trainer — Todd Pletcher; Jockey — John Velazquez

Fierceness is the favorite for good reason. He is the fastest horse in the race and destroyed the field at the Florida Derby. Fierceness has tactical speed and has elevated his overall skillset of late. His owner, Mike Repole, is the founder of Vitamin Water. Repole has dreamed of owning a Derby winner for the majority of his life and this could be the year he finally gets it done.

2. Sierra Leone (3-1) Trainer — Chad Brown; Jockey — Tyler Gafflione

Distance is not a problem for Sierra Leone, so racing a mile and a quarter is actually an advantage — he could probably go even further. Sierra Leone won his first time out, in a mile, and almost won his second start, but lost by a nostril. Even in the loss, it was his most impressive race, considering he closed from 12 lengths back.

The only negative with this horse is that deep closers often have to get lucky in the Derby, with a field of 20 to navigate.

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