Blake Schuster
April 30, 2024 12:04 pm ET
This Saturday’s Kentucky Derby could be a pretty sloppy one and we’re not just talking about the infield parties.
The early weather forecast in Louisville is calling for scattered thunderstorms with rain early in the day, per Weather.com. Here’s what the experts are saying:
Rain showers in the morning with scattered thunderstorms arriving in the afternoon. High near 80F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Scattered thunderstorms in the evening with a few showers possible late. Low 63F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Keep in mind, the Derby will go on rain or shine, so be prepared to pack an extra umbrella or poncho to protect your fanciest hats. As for the race itself, a muddy track should make a huge difference as bets start rolling in.
Here’s a look at the current field and post positions as of April 30 with their morning line odds.
1. Dornoch
Kentucky Derby hopeful Dornoch looks around the stable area while being bathed on the backside at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 25, 2024
Morning Line Odds: 20-1
Trainer:Danny Gargan
Jockey: Luis Saez
Owner(s): West Paces Racing LLC, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding LLC, Two Eight Racing LLC & Pine Racing Stables
Key Results: 4th Place 2024 Blue Grass Stakes, 1st Place 2024 Fountain of Youth, 1st Place 2023 Remsen
2. Sierra Leone
Kentucky Derby hopeful Sierra Leone gallops in the morning at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 23, 2024
Morning Line Odds: 3-1
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Tyler Gafflione
Owner(s): Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B., Smith, Derrick, Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing, LLC and Brant, Peter M.
Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Blue Grass Stakes, 1st Place 2024 Risen Star, 2nd Place 2023 Remsen
3. Mystik Dan
Kentucky Derby hopeful, Mystik Dan, puts in a workout withe a stable mate on the at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 20, 2024
Morning Line Odds: 20-1
Trainer:Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.
Owner(s): Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC & Daniel Hamby III
Key Results: 3rd Place 2024 Arkansas Derby, 1st Place 2024 Southwest Stakes, 5th Place 2024 Smarty Jones
4. Catching Freedom
Kentucky Derby hopeful Catching Freedom gallops in the morning at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 23, 2024
Morning Line Odds: 8-1
Trainer:Brad Cox
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Owner(s): Albaugh Family Stables LLC
Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Louisiana Derby, 3rd Place 2024 Risen Star, 1st Place 2024 Smarty Jones
5. Catalytic
Kentucky Derby hopeful Catalytic takes to the track in the morning at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 23, 2024
Morning Line Odds: 30-1
Trainer:Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Owner(s): Tami Bobo, Julie Davies & George G. Isaacs
Key Results: 2nd Place 2024 Florida Derby
6. Just Steel
Kentucky Derby contender Just Steel on the track for a workout Thursday morning at Churchill Downs April 25, 2024 in Louisville, Ky. Trainer for Just Steel is D. Wayne Lukas. It’s Lukas’ first Derby since 2018. He’s won four Kentucky Derbys, six Preakness Stakes and four Belmont Stakes.
Morning Line Odds: 20-1
Trainer:Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Keith Asmussen
Owner(s): BC Stables LLC
Key Results: 2nd Place 2024 Arkansas Derby, 1st Place 2024 Smarty Jones, 2nd Place 2024 Southwest Stakes
7. Honor Marie
Kentucky Derby contender Honor Marie gallops with jockey Ben Curtis at Churchill Downs April 25, 2024 in Louisville, Ky. Louisville native Whit Beckman is the trainer.
Morning Line Odds: 20-1
Trainer:Whit Beckman
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Owner(s): Ribble Farms LLC
Key Results: 2nd Place 2024 Louisiana Derby, 5th Place 2024 Risen Star, 1st Place 2023 Kentucky Jockey Club
8. Just A Touch
Just A Touch was just a touch frisky during bath time outside Trainer Brad Cox’s barn on Saturday morning at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. April 20, 2024.
Morning Line Odds: 10-1
Trainer:Brad Cox
Jockey: TBD
Owner(s): Qatar Racing (Sheikh Fahad Al Thani), Resolute Racing & Marc Detampel
Key Results: 2nd Place 2024 Blue Grass Stakes, 2nd Place 2024 Gotham
9. Encino
Kentucky Derby hopeful, Encino, hits the track for a morning jog at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 20, 2024
Morning Line Odds: 20-1
Trainer:Brad Cox
Jockey: TBD
Owner(s): Godolphin LLC
Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Lexington, 1st Place 2024 John Battaglia Memorial
10. T O Password (JPN)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 06: Jockey Kazushi Kimura walks Mandarin Hero to the starting gate before the start of the 149th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 06, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Morning Line Odds: 30-1
Trainer:Daisuke Takayanagi
Jockey: Kimura Kazushi
Owner(s): Tomoya Ozasa
Key Results: 1st Place 2024 f*ckuryu Stakes, 1st Place 2024 Newcomer
11. Forever Young (JPN)
Kentucky Derby hopeful Forever Young gallops on the track at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 22, 2024
Morning Line Odds: 10-1
Trainer:Yosh*to Yahagi
Jockey: Ryusei Sakai
Owner(s): Susumu Fujita
Key Results: 1st Place 2024 UAE Derby, 1st Place 2024 Saudi Derby, 1st Place 2023 Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun
12. Track Phantom
Kentucky Derby hopeful Track Phantom gallops on the track during a morning workout at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 25, 2024
Morning Line Odds: 20-1
Trainer:Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Owner(s): L and N Racing LLC, Brewster, Clark O., Caroom, Jerry and Breeze Easy, LLC
Key Results: 4th Place 2024 Louisiana Derby, 2nd Place 2024 Risen Star, 1st Place 2024 Lecomte
13. West Saratoga
Kentucky Derby hopeful West Saratoga looks around at the crowd of spectators while being bathed on the backside of Churchill Downs. Pat McDonogh, Special to the Courier April 27, 2024
Morning Line Odds: 50-1
Trainer: Larry Demeritte
Jockey: Jesus Castanon
Owner(s): Harry L. Veruchi
Key Results: 2nd Place 2024 Jeff Ruby Steaks, 3rd Place 2024 Sam F. Davis, 2nd Place 2024 Pasco
14. Endlessly
Kentucky Derby contender Endlessly trains early before daybreak Thursday morning at Churchill Downs April 25, 2024 in Louisville, Ky. Trainer is Michael McCarthy.
Morning Line Odds: 30-1
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Jockey: TBD
Owner(s): Amerman Racing LLC
Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Jeff Ruby Steaks, 1st Place 2024 El Camino Real Derby, 1st Place 2023 Zuma Beach
15. Domestic Product
Kentucky Derby hopeful Domestic Product gallops in the morning at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 23, 2024
Morning Line Odds: 30-1
Trainer:Chad Brown
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Owner(s): Klaravich Stables Inc.
Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Tampa Bay Derby, 2nd Place 2024 Holy Bull, 7th Place 2023 Remsen
16. Grand Mo The First
LOUISVILLE-MAY 3: The field explodes out of the starting gate during the 128th Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2002 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Morning Line Odds: 50-1
Trainer:Victor Barboza Jr.
Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo
Owner(s): Granpollo Stables LLC
Key Results: 3rd Place 2024 Florida Derby, 3rd Place 2024 Tampa Bay Derby
17. Fierceness
Kentucky Derby hopeful Fierceness appears ready for a nap during a morning at at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 23, 2024
Morning Line Odds: 5-2
Trainer:Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
Owner(s): Repole Stables, Inc.
Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Florida Derby, 3rd Place 2024 Holy Bull, 1st Place 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
18. Stronghold
Jockey Joel Rosario and Stronghold (5) cross the finish line to win the Sunland Park Derby at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, in Sunland Park, New Mexico, Sunday, February 18, 2024.
Morning Line Odds: 20-1
Trainer:Phil D’Amato
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Owner(s): Eric M. Waller & Sharon Waller
Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Santa Anita Derby, 1st Place 2024 Sunland Park Derby, 2nd Place 2023 Los Alamitos Futurity
19. Resilience
Kentucky Derby hopeful Resilience looks around while being bathed at Bill Mott’s stable on the backside of Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 20, 2024
Morning Line Odds: 20-1
Trainer:Bill Mott
Jockey: TBD
Owner(s): Emily Bushnell & Ric Waldman
Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Wood Memorial, 4th Place 2024 Risen Star
20. Society Man
Kentucky Derby hopefuls Society Man, left, and Dornoch, right, get in a final workout one week before the race at Churchill Downs. The horses are trained by Danny Garage. Pat McDonogh, Special to the Courier April 27, 2024
Morning Line Odds: 50-1
Trainer:Danny Gargan
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Owner(s): Reeves Thoroughbred Racing; West Paces Racing; GMP Stables; and Carl & Yurie Pascarella
Key Results: 2nd Place 2024 Wood Memorial
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