In the run-up to the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4, usracing.com continues with our weekly Derby Top 10 contenders.
Step up, or step aside.
Catching Freedom, Honor Marie, and West Saratoga took giant strides toward the Kentucky Derby (G1) this past weekend, while a few more 3-year-olds will do so Saturday in three Derby points qualifiers – the Arkansas Derby (G1), Florida Derby (G1), and the UAE Derby (G2).
Catching Freedom, trained by Brad Cox, confirmed his status as a top Derby contender with a last-to-first victory in the Louisiana Derby (G2) at the Fair Grounds, with Honor Marie also closing well for second.
At Turfway Park, Endlessly was a solid winner in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) but will stick to turf/artificial surface racing rather than run in the Derby. However, 36-1 runner-up West Saratoga ran a solid second to earn enough points to Run for the Roses on May 4.
Catching Freedom at No. 3; Honor Marie, West Saratoga in top 10
With those results, this week’s usracing.com Derby Top 10 has undergone several changes. Catching Freedom, highly regarded earlier in the season, returns at No. 3, with Honor Marie back in at No. 8, and West Saratoga back at No. 9.
Sierra Leone and Timberlake remain 1-2. Risen Star (G2) winner Sierra Leone is scheduled to run in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland on April 6 in his final Derby prep, while Rebel (G2) winner Timberlake takes on Southwest (G3) winner Mystik Dan and Bob Baffert’s San Vicente (G2) winner Muth in a field of 10 in the Arkansas Derby.
CATCHING FREEDOM caught them all going from last to first in the 111th running of the https://t.co/EynbFb3eBd $1M Louisiana Derby (GII) at the Fair Grounds.
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Trainer: Brad Cox
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/mYBsy8TykG— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) March 23, 2024
The Florida Derby features a rematch between Fierceness and Hades, who upset the 2-year-old champion in the Holy Bull (G3) on Feb. 3.
Unbeaten Forever Young, winner of the Saudi Derby, is the favorite to take the UAE Derby and earn enough points to compete in the Derby.
Derby preps are now worth 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five finishers – a win or second clinches a spot in the Kentucky Derby field limited to 20 starters.
Track Phantom, fourth in the Louisiana Derby, and No More Time dropped out of the rankings; Domestic Product and Hades are tied at No. 8.
1. Sierra Leone (Chad Brown, Tyler Gaffalione)
Completed a fourth 4-furlong workout since Risen Star win in 49.60 at Payson Park on March 22. Risen Star remains standout performance of all Derby preps.Son of Gun Runner has won 2-of-3 – second by a nose to Dornoch in Remsen.
Next start: Blue Grass, Keeneland, April 6.
Kentucky Derby Leader Board Position: No. 9 on Derby points leaderboard (55)
Kentucky Derby Future Odds: Derby future wager odds: 5-1.
2. Timberlake (Brad Cox, Cristian Torres)
Worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 at the Fair Grounds on March 23.Rebel winner faces tough field in Arkansas Derby in Muth and Southwest winner Mystik Dan.
Next start: Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Park, Saturday.
Kentucky Derby Leader Board Position:No. 5 on Derby points leaderboard (66)
Kentucky Derby Future Odds: Derby future wager odds: 8-1.
3. Catching Freedom (Brad Cox, Flavien Prat)
Happy to see last-to-first Louisiana Derby win since we had him highly regarded earlier in the year. Lightly raced with three wins in five starts.Could be Derby favorite depending on results of upcoming preps.
Next start: Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, May 4
Kentucky Derby Leader Board Position: No. 1 on Derby points leaderboard (125)
Kentucky Derby Future Odds: Derby future wager odds: 30-1.
4. Fierceness (Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez)
2-year-old champion worked 4 furlongs in 47.43 at Palm Meadows on March 22. BC Juvenile winner was disappointing third in Holy Bull on Feb. 3.
Next start: Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, March 30.
Kentucky Derby Leader Board Position:No. 13 on Derby points leaderboard (36)
Kentucky Derby Future Odds:Derby future wager odds: 12-1.
5. Dornoch (Danny Gargan, Luis Saez)
Worked 4 furlongs in 50.20 at Palm Meadows on March 22. Fountain of Youth winner is full brother of ‘23 Derby winner Mage.Winner of three straight after two runner-up finishes to start career.
Next start: Blue Grass, Keeneland, April 6.
Kentucky Derby Leader Board Position: No. 7 on Derby points leaderboard (60)
Kentucky Derby Future Odds: Derby future wager odds: 12-1.
6. Deterministic (Christophe Clement, Joel Rosario)
Worked 5 furlongs in 1:03.00 at Payson Park on March 21, first work since Gotham win on March 2. 2-for-2; a debut win on Aug. 12 at Saratoga followed by Gotham triumph nearly seven months later.
Next start: Wood Memorial, Aqueduct, April 6.
Kentucky Derby Leader Board Position:No. 10 on Derby points leaderboard (50)
Kentucky Derby Future Odds:Derby future wager odds: 20-1.
7. Domestic Product (Chad Brown, Tyler Gaffalione)
Tampa Bay Derby winner could give Chad Brown a strong second Derby contender with solid effort in Wood Memorial.
Next start: Wood Memorial (G2), Aqueduct, April 6.
Kentucky Derby Leader Board Position: No. 8 on Derby points leaderboard (60)
Kentucky Derby Future Odds:Derby future wager odds: 30-1.
8.(tie) Honor Marie (Whit Beckman, Ben Curtis)
Outkicked a length by Catching Freedom in Louisiana Derby but string finish has colt back in our Top 10.Son of Honor Code is 5-2-2-0 and Derby bound.
Next start: Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, May 4.
No. 6 on Derby leaderboard (65)
Derby future wager odds: 40-1.
8. (tie) Hades (Joe Orseno, Paco Lopez)
Orseno: “We are ready. All systems go.’’Looking forward to rematch with Fierceness.Unbeaten (3-for-3) gelding likely needs top 3 finish in Florida Derby to make the Run for the Roses.
Next start: Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, March 30.
Kentucky Derby Leader Board Position: No. 21 on Derby points leaderboard (20)
Kentucky Derby Future Odds: Derby future wager odds: 30-1.
9. West Saratoga (Larry Demeritte, Jesus Castanon)
Iroquois winner proved to be Derby worthy with runner-up finish in Jeff Ruby Steaks ... Well- seasoned with 10 career starts (2-5-1).Gray son of Exaggerator purchased for $11,000 by Harry Veruchi at Keeneland yearling sale.
Next start: Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, May 4.
Kentucky Derby Leader Board Position: No. 4 on Derby points leaderboard (67)
Kentucky Derby Future Odds: Derby future wager odds: 15-1 (mutuel field).
10. Forever Young (Yoshito Yahagi, Ryusei Sakai)
UAE Derby favorite needs to win or run second for enough points to get into the Derby, although he could get in via Japan’s road to the Derby (he’s second, and would move up if the top-rated horse is not Derby bound) .Saudi Derby winner is 4-for-4
Next start: UAE Derby, Meydan Racecourse, March 30.
Kentucky Derby Leader Board Position: Zero points on Derby leaderboard ...
Kentucky Derby Future Odds: Derby future wager odds: 20-1.
On the bubble: Common Defense, Just Steel, Mystik Dan
Note: With trainer Bob Baffert still banned by Churchill Downs Inc., none of his 3-year-olds can earn Kentucky Derby qualifying points, thus none are in our Derby Top 10. They include Imagination and Muth.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
