Fierceness Emerges as Heavy Favorite Ahead of Kentucky Derby
As the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby approaches, all eyes are on the overwhelming favorite, Fierceness. The Todd Pletcher-trained horse has seen his odds slashed to 9-5, making him the top pick to win the prestigious race.
Fierceness has had a strong season so far, finishing first and third in his two starts. In 2023, he won two out of three races, including a dominant performance at the Florida Derby where he pulled away down the stretch to win by an impressive 13.5 lengths.
Despite Fierceness’ rise to the top, Sierra Leone remains a strong contender with odds of 6-1. The horse has won both of his starts this year and boasts an impressive record of three firsts and a second in four career starts. Sierra Leone will be starting from the No. 2 post position, while Fierceness launches from the 17th spot.
With just four horses having odds better than 15-1, Forever Young and Catching Freedom are also among the top contenders at 8-1 and 9-1, respectively. Forever Young, a Japan-based horse, is undefeated in his career with five wins in five starts, while Catching Freedom has three wins and a third-place finish in five career starts.
For those looking for a long shot, Society Man and Mugatu are the horses to watch. Both starting from the outside, Society Man is at 73-1 odds, while Mugatu is the biggest underdog at 87-1. With only one win in 12 career starts, Mugatu is a true dark horse in the field.
As the excitement builds for the Kentucky Derby, fans and bettors alike will be eagerly watching to see if Fierceness can live up to his favorite status and secure a victory in the historic race.