Kentucky Derby 2024 Horses: Stats, Jockeys, and Trainers

Kentucky Derby 2024 Horses

Longtime horse racing handicapper Mr. Ed Sehon has been studying the ponies since 1962. Here are his thoughts and some stats for the 2024 Kentucky Derby entries.

>>More Kentucky Derby analysis and picks from VSiN’s experts.

1 DORNOCH (20-1)

Record: 6-3-2-0

Trainer: Danny Gargan

Jockey: Luis Saez

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 91

Earnings: $552,275

Mr. Ed: I’ve been touting this guy since before his Fountain of Youth score, but I’m troubled by his lackluster effort in the Bluegrass. Gargan is an excellent trainer, and Saez is a top jock. I’ll have him on some tickets, but he’s no longer on my short list of possible winners. EXOTICS PLAY.

2 SIERRA LEONE (3-1)

Record: 4-3-1-0

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 98

Earnings: $918,000

Mr. Ed: Expected to vie with Fierceness for race-day favoritism, he’s Improved with every race. His lone loss was in the mud at Aqueduct in the G2 Remsen. He should easily handle the extra furlong and be flying in the lane. Both Brown and Gaffalione are looking for their first Derby score. Son of a Gun (Runner)! LOTS TO LIKE.

3 MYSTIK DAN (20-1)

Record: 6-2-1-1

Trainer: Kenny McPeek

Jockey: Brian Hernandez

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 101

Earnings: $641,360

Mr. Ed: Appears headed in the wrong direction. Sharp regression following triple-digit Beyer does not inspire confidence. Connections attract local Kentucky support. PRAY FOR RAIN.

4 CATCHING FREEDOM (8-1)

Record: 5-3-0-1

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 97

Earnings: $877,350

Mr. Ed: The Louisiana Derby winner keeps getting better. His closing style suits the expected race pace. He has an excellent trainer and a first-class rider. Hoping to avenge his loss to Sierra Leone in the sloppy Risen Star. Stone-cold closer capable of winning it all. DON’T DISMISS.

5 CATALYTIC (30-1)

Record: 3-1-2-0

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 90

Earnings: $216,825

Mr. Ed: This lightly raced colt finished second to Fierceness in the Florida Derby by 13 lengths. There was a positive rider change. The wise trainer knows how to spring an upset. NO WAY TODAY, JOSE.

6 JUST STEEL (20-1)

Record: 11-2-4-1

Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas

Jockey: Keith Asmussen

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 95

Earnings: $724,545

Mr. Ed: Popular “Coach” Lukas is excited by his chances. He has been training recently at Oaklawn but has won over the Churchill oval. The pricy son of Justify has been tested but failed in three G1 attempts. This is the first Derby ride for the HOF trainer’s son. OUT OF THE MONEY.

7 HONOR MARIE (20-1)

Record: 5-2-2-0

Trainer: Whit Beckman

Jockey: Ben Curtis

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 96

Earnings: $526,175

Mr. Ed: Colt just missed Catching Freedom in the Louisiana Derby. Has three trips over the Churchill Downs oval, including a win as a juvenile. There’s more talent here than meets the eye. Connections’ first Run for the Roses—sharp trainer and a sneaky good Irish rider. The horse should love the extra distance. CLEVER CLOSER.

8 JUST A TOUCH (10-1)

Record: 3-1-2-0

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Florent Geroux

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 96

Earnings: $281,700

Mr. Ed: The lightly raced son of Triple Crown winner Justify seeks to avenge his loss to Sierra Leone in the Bluegrass. Some Vegas wiseguys think he can, so don’t underestimate his chances. Pitch this sleeper at your own risk. IN THE MONEY.

SCRATCHED-9 ENCINO (20-1)

Record: 4-3-1-0

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: TBD

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 94

Earnings: $378,315

Mr. Ed: This lightly-raced, improving son of Nyquist shows promise. The trainer has been sending out winners from Turfway stables. Rested and ready, the speedy colt may exceed expectations. IT WILL OUTRUN ODDS.

10 T O PASSWORD (30-1)

Record: 2-2-0-0

Trainer: Daisuke Takayanagi

Jockey: Katsuma Sameshima

Best Beyer Speed Figure: N.A.

Earnings: $163,339

Mr. Ed: This Asian runner has an unblemished record in Japan. Don’t know much, don’t expect much. Welcome to the big leagues. EASY TO ELIMINATE.

11 FOREVER YOUNG (10-1)

Record: 5-5-0-0

Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi

Jockey: Ryusei Sakai

Best Beyer Speed Figure: N.A.

Earnings: $2,049,451

Mr. Ed: This world traveler sports a perfect 5-for-5 record. Hard-worker hopes to become the first Derby winner from Japan. An import that might be overlooked at betting windows. IN THE MIX.

12 TRACK PHANTOM (20-1)

Record: 7-3-2-1

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 94

Earnings: $405,000

Mr. Ed: Super HOF trainer Asmussen aims to add his first Derby win to a stellar resume. The Quality Road offspring won his maiden race over the Churchill Downs oval. Classic distance looks to be a furlong too far for this game front-runner. SPEED KILLS.

13 WEST SARATOGA (50-1)

Record: 10-2-5-1

Trainer: Larry Demeritte

Jockey: Jesus Castanon

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 85

Earnings: $460,140

Mr. Ed: This seasoned player appears to be in too deep. Frequent flier returns to a familiar racing surface. Finished out of the money in lone G1 stakes. ALSO RAN. 

14 ENDLESSLY (30-1)

Record: 6-5-0-0

Trainer: Michael McCarthy

Jockey: Umberto Rispoli

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 91

Earnings: $707,200

Mr. Ed: A horse that knows how to win takes a big step up in class. He’ll need to run much faster if he’s going to compete here. DOUBTFUL.

15 DOMESTIC PRODUCT (30-1)

Record: 5-2-1-0

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 87

Earnings: $314,200

Mr. Ed: Sierra Leone’s stablemate won the G3 Tampa Bay Derby in early March but has been on the bench since. Low-speed figures just don’t measure up, but a tip-top rider may help. OFFERS LITTLE.

16 GRAND MO THE FIRST

Record: 6-2-0-4

Trainer: Victor Barboza

Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 87

Earnings: $214,650

Mr. Ed: This slow poke snuck into the field when Deterministic opted not to run. Lacks the speed to compete early and the stamina to finish strong. SAVE YOUR MONEY.

17 FIERCENESS (5-2)

Record: 5-3-0-1

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 110

Earnings: $1,703,850

Mr. Ed: Hard not to like. Looks invincible after a 13-length victory in the Florida Derby. He sports the best speed figure in the field. Juvenile champ, even better as a sophomore. HOF trainer-rider combo. Only knock: needs the lead. But if he breaks on top, he may never look back. FASTEST OF ALL.

18 STRONGHOLD (20-1)

Record: 6-3-3-0

Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Jockey: Antonio Fresu

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 89

Earnings: $827,200

Mr. Ed: The best of the west joins the field after a Big Cap victory. Stalker never finished worse than second. Broke maiden at Churchill before heading west. Strong credentials. Might not be good enough to win, but don’t leave off exotic tickets. BETTER THAN MOST.

19 RESILIENCE (20-1)

Record: 6-2-1-1

Trainer: Bill Mott

Jockey: TBD

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 90

Earnings: $494,630

Mr. Ed: The G2 Wood Memorial winner improves with age and the addition of blinkers. This son of super sire Into Mischief needs a perfect stalking trip to score. Fast works indicate Mott will have this big boy ready to rumble. MIGHT SURPRISE.

20 SOCIETY MAN (50-1)

Record: 5-1-1-1

Trainer: Danny Gargan

Jockey: Frankie Dettori

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 87

Earnings: $196,705

Mr. Ed: Second place in the Wood Memorial does not stamp the son of Good Magic as a legitimate contender. Look for him late, if at all. Colt is a second-string Gargan entrant. World-class Dettori lured to ride. BLIND DATE.

21 EPIC RIDE

Record: 5-2-2-1

Trainer: John Ennis

Jockey: Adam Beschizza

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 93

Earnings: $253,166

Mr. Ed: The third-place finish in the Bluegrass at 51-1 was a real eye-opener. Connections take a giant leap of faith by running here. WOULD BE EPIC.

AE MUGATU

Record: 12-1-1-3

Trainer: Jeff Engler

Jockey: Joe Talamo

Best Beyer Speed Figure: 96

Earnings: $80,570

Mr. Ed: Connections hoping 14th start will be a charm. Team should enjoy their owner’s box on MILLIONAIRES’ ROW, because they won’t get anywhere closer to the Winner’s Circle. NO CHANCE.