There are few more exciting sporting events than the Kentucky Derby. The opening leg of the Triple Crown always sees a star-studded list of entries, with runners aiming to join the legends of the sport and claim victory at Churchill Downs.
There will be extra eyes on the race this year as it celebrates its 150th anniversary. It also promises to be a wide-open renewal of the race in 2024, with a number of potential runners running to a high standard in the prep races. But which runners could be among the most exciting to consider this year?
Sierra Leone
According to TwinSpires, Chad Brown has an excellent chance in the Kentucky Derby this year with the impressive Sierra Leone.
The three-year-old has won twice from three career starts and has continued to improve every time we have seen him on the track. He was narrowly beaten on his first start in stakes company when finishing a nose second to Dornoch in the G2 Remsen Stakes.
However, he bounced back to winning ways with a dominant win at Fair Grounds on his latest start, beating the impressive Track Phantom just under a length in the G2 Risen Star. He looks hugely progressive and has obvious Derby claims at this stage.
At this stage, he is a short-price favorite at the top of the betting for the Derby, but that could be down to the fact that he is one of a few who have mathematically assured their starting spot in the race at Churchill Downs.
Forever Young
Japanese runners have been running to massive credit in the United States over the last few years, but they are still yet to hit the board in the Kentucky Derby. They could have an exciting contender like Forever Young for trainer Yoshito Yahagi this year.
The three-year-old continued to boast a perfect record under rules and was a visually impressive winner on the Road to the Kentucky Derby when beating Book them Danno by a head in the G3 Saudi Derby.
Connections will have high hopes for this three-year-old when he lines up in the G1 UAE Derby at Meydan in March. He could further his claims with a solid performance in the Middle East.
That race has produced strong performers recently, including Derma Sotogake, who ended last season finishing second in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Timberlake
Brad Cox will have a string of potential Derby contenders this year, but few have been as impressive as Timberlake.
The three-year-old finished fourth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year after an impressive win over General Partner in the G1 Champagne Stakes.
On his return to action as a three-year-old in late February, he was a dominant winner, finishing an excellent two lengths clear of Common Defense.
He is a very talented horse that is held in the highest regard by connections. It could be an extensive price selection at this stage with the Derby in mind.
Track Phantom
Steven Asmussen will continue his hunt for a first Derby victory this year with the very impressive Track Phantom.
The three-year-old has won three of his four starts, and the trainer would have learned a lot about his contender after he finished second behind Sierra Leone on his step up in distance.
He had dominated some high-quality fields before that narrow defeat, which included a dominant two-length win over Nash in the G3 Lecomte Stakes.
However, he will need to show that he can perform against the best now up in the trip, and he will have an excellent opportunity to highlight that when taking on a high-quality field in the G2 Louisiana Derby in mid-March.
We will learn more about his Derby chances in that race, but he looks a solid contender at this stage.
Catching Freedom
Another potential runner in the Derby for Brad Cox comes in the form of Catching Freedom. The three-year-old was a fast-finishing third behind Sierra Leone and Track Phantom in the G2 Risen Star, and connections would have taken a lot of positives from that display with the Derby in mind.
It could be argued that there could be the most upside with this runner compared to his rivals after stepping up in trip.
He was excellent across his first two starts on the track, winning on debut over a mile at Churchill Downs. The fact that Catching Freedom already boasts experience at the home of the Derby and is one of few with a winning record is hard to dismiss.
But, he will need to show even more improvement on his next start to ensure a place in the starting gates in the Kentucky Derby.