There are few extra historic sporting occasions in the US than the Kentucky Derby. This yr’s version of the race will likely be one of the crucial unmissable editions, because the Derby celebrates its 150th anniversary at Churchill Downs. However, what do it is advisable to know concerning the Kentucky Derby forward of its 150th anniversary this yr?
When & The place Is The Kentucky Derby?
The 2024 Kentucky Derby will likely be staged on the iconic Churchill Downs on Saturday, Could 4. As is historically the case, the race will happen on the primary Saturday in Could, with horses aged three trying to land victory within the opening leg of the Triple Crown.
The Preakness Stakes will likely be staged two weeks after the Derby, with the Belmont Stakes rounding off the Triple Crown at the beginning of June. Nevertheless, the Kentucky Derby is probably the most prestigious leg of the collection, and it’s historically the race that draws the largest discipline of runners.
How Do Horses Earn A Beginning Spot?
The sector for the Kentucky Derby is assembled primarily based on qualifying factors which can be picked up on the Highway to the Kentucky Derby qualifying collection. In whole, there are 37 prep races staged throughout the globe, with the important thing point-winning races coming within the second leg of the Championship collection. Races such because the Blue Grass Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, and the Florida Derby all supply 100 qualifying factors, which is successfully sufficient to safe a spot within the Derby.
In addition to qualifying races in the US, there are additionally legs on the Highway to the Kentucky Derby which can be staged in Japan, England, Eire, and the United Arab Emirates. Nevertheless, there hasn’t but been a winner from outdoors of North America to land success within the Derby.
When Is The Submit Draw?
The joy forward of the Kentucky Derby in 2024 will enhance considerably when the draw for the race is introduced six days earlier than the sector go to submit. That is historically some extent that bettors will await earlier than making their picks, as sure beginning positions have worse information than others.
The developments present that 12 of the final 23 Derby winners have come out of stalls 13 or larger, which is a substantial alteration within the developments earlier than the beginning of 2000 when solely ten winners got here from the identical beginning positions. Decrease gates have a poor document, with Ferdinand being the final winner to interrupt from gate one in 1986.
In the meantime, solely 1998 champion Actual Quiet has received from stalls one, two or three since then. A gate that each one runners will likely be trying to keep away from throughout the draw is submit 17. This gate is but to supply the winner of the race ,whereas there has solely been one finisher to say a top-five place from the stall since 2005.
Doubtless Main Contenders
There will likely be a really aggressive really feel to the highest of the betting this yr, with the highest two wanting very difficult to separate at this stage. Chad Brown’s Sierra Leone is the very slender favourite at this stage after successful a second Derby prep race within the type of the G1 Blue Grass Stakes in April. However, that hasn’t been probably the most profitable prep race when it comes to producing Derby victors lately.
Fierceness will likely be trying to change into the third Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner to land victory within the Derby, and Todd Pletcher will likely be excited surrounding this three-year-olds possibilities following his dominant efficiency within the G1 Florida Derby on the finish of March.
That might depart him primed for a surprising effort at Churchill Downs this yr.Discover extra data right here: https://www.twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/future-wager-pool/
Philip D’Amato is one other coach that may consider that he has a superb opportunity within the race this yr. Stronghold seems to be his main contender after scoring very impressively to land the G1 Santa Anita Derby. Catching Freedom is also difficult to fully neglected primarily based on his glorious exhibiting within the Louisiana Derby on the finish of March.
A First Worldwide Winner?
There was no scarcity of worldwide challengers within the Kentucky Derby all through historical past, so it could be becoming if a primary worldwide raider would land success within the 150th anniversary of the race. Eternally Younger definitely seems to be among the finest contenders that Japan has introduced over for the race, and he impressed on the filth in Japan after touchdown the Zen-Nippon NisaiYushun in 2023. His glorious performances have reached new heights this season, touchdown the Saudi Derby, earlier than pulling away from the sector to attain within the G2 UAE Derby on the finish of March. He’s one in all few runners with an ideal document heading into the Derby, and he isn’t more likely to be that distant.