Kentucky Derby Expert Picks & Predictions for 2024 Race Today

The 2024 Kentucky Derby is upon us.

The first Saturday in May brings with it 14 races at Churchill Downs, the biggest of which is the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.

See who FanDuel TV experts like in Derby 150 -- and other races on the weekend.

You can bet on which horse will win the Kentucky Derby with FanDuel Racing. Discover the exciting 2024 Kentucky Derby promos to wager on FDR and FanDuel Sportsbook and get up to $20 back on your bet!

New FanDuel Racing users are included in the excitement with a chance to get your first win wager on a single horse in any race at any track up to $500 back if you lose. Bet the Derby!

2024 Kentucky Derby Expert Predictions

Watch below as FanDuel TV's experts share their predictions and picks for the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

Simon Bray

#4 Catching Freedom (8-1)

It's time for the big one: Derby 150 on Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs, and I'm going to go with a horse that I've been following the last six weeks ever since his win in the Louisiana Derby. That's #4, Catching Freedom.

Yeah, he likes to come from off the pace. But in the Louisiana Derby, he found himself much farther back than he normally likes to be. And he overcame that and still won the race. That's the mark of a good horse, I think, that overcomes issues and still gets the job done.

So, Catching Freedom, he's going to have plenty of pace to close into. There's at least three, four, five horses that want to vie for the early lead. That sets up perfect for Catching Freedom. And I think he gives trainer Brad Cox another win in the Kentucky Derby.

Scott Hazelton

#8 Just A Touch (10-1)

In the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, the #8 horse, Just A Touch, is my play.

His daddy won the Derby. His daddy won the Triple Crown: Justify. And I think he's only going to get better with the racing experience that he gained in the Grade 1 Toyota Bluegrass a few weeks back over at Keeneland race course.

He'll lay right off the pace, he'll have that position, hopefully get the jump on those closers, and there's a lot of them in here. Let's go to the #8 Just A Touch to score in the Run for the Roses, the Kentucky Derby.

Joaquin Jaime

#4 Catching Freedom (8-1)

My top pick in the Kentucky Derby this year is going to be the #4 horse in Catching Freedom.

When you go back and watch the film and watch his replays, his races in January and February, he was still learning how to run. He was not holding the straightest path down the stretch. He really figured it out in his last race, though, in the Louisiana Derby.

I love that race. That was a really strong closing kick that he had down the lane, and he was much more professional that afternoon.

He's just a horse that is figuring it out at the right time.

So, I'll look to the #4 horse, Catching Freedom, in this year's Kentucky Derby.

Gabby Gaudet

#17 Fierceness (5-2)

All right, let's talk Kentucky Derby. It's going to be Fierceness for me.

When you look at his wins, he's been significantly faster than any other horse that is running in this year's Kentucky Derby on any type of speed figure.

Now, when I go through the process of picking him, I want to see why he lost those two races in his career.

One of those losses was in the [Champagne Stakes]. He lunged out of the start. He did not get good position, and he just kind of threw in the towel after that.

And then in the Holy Bull, I don't think he was in his peak form at that time. I don't think Todd Pletcher had him cranked up for that race. He also got bumped out of the gate and had a wide trip, which I thought was significant.

In the Derby, it just seems like he gets a good trip sitting right behind the speed in the clear under Hall of Famer Johnny Velazquez, who knows how to win this thing.

So, it's going to be Fierceness for me on top in this year's Kentucky Derby.

Dubbs Anderson

#18 Stronghold (20-1)

I'm going to go with the #18 Stronghold at 20-1 on the morning line to win this year's Kentucky Derby.

What I like about Stronghold: six starts at six different courses. That's versatility. Three of the six ended up in wins, including a big score at the Santa Anita Derby, and returns to Churchill Downs where we broke the maiden early in the career.

So, happy returns and gets a good setup starting alongside one of the big favorites here in Fierceness for Stronghold.

Does have a closing kick, and she'll get a nice little pace set up. Has to take a step forward, but I think we absolutely appreciate the mile and a quarter, so give me Stronghold at a big price to win this year's Kentucky Derby.

Dave Weaver

#11 Forever Young (Japan) (10-1)

Oh, it's Kentucky Derby day. That makes me happy. Does that make you happy?

I think I have a winner for you. It's race number 12, the Kentucky Derby, 20 horses going into the starting gate, and I like #11, Forever Young.

He's never lost before. He's a perfect five-for-five in Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai.

No horse has ever won from the UAE Derby, but he won that race so impressively last time out.

I was there. I saw him with my very own eyes, and I think that he is going to be able to bring the show on the road, come here to the States, and win the Kentucky Derby.

#11, Forever Young trying to keep it undefeated and make it six-for-six.

Matt Bernier

#17 Fierceness (5-2)

Race 12 on Saturday at Churchill Downs, it's the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. We all know everybody likes to take a shot with a long shot, all the big bombs, big prices.

I like a price as much as anyone.

Not this year.

The #17, Fierceness, the 5-2 morning line favorite. Simply put: he is lengths faster than everyone else in this field.

I think he works at an ideal trip from the outside, and I think he gets the job done for Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez, and Mike Repole. The #17 Fierceness, race number 12, at Churchill on Saturday, the Kentucky Derby.

Andie Biancone

#5 Just Steel (20-1)

My pick for the 2024 Kentucky Derby will be the #6, Just Steel.

This horse is as tenacious as they call him. He's danced every dance. He's run against the best in the country time and time again, and he always shows up.

You can excuse the run two back. He was arguing with the rider, went five-wide into the first and second turn. He's a little difficult to handle, so he is going to have to work out a forward trip.

But I think he has all the talent in the world. He's bred to love the distance. He's 20-1 on the morning line.

Christina Blacker

#2 Sierra Leone (3-1)

The #2 horse, Sierra Leone for me in the Kentucky Derby.

He will have to negotiate a trip from off the pace, but he's proven that he keeps getting better with each and every start.

And I think if [jockey] Tyler Gaffalione can swing him out down the middle of the racetrack, he'll come flying late. The #2 horse, Sierra Leone.

New to FanDuel Racing? Place your first bet up to $500 on any race at any track & get it back in Racing Bonus if it doesn’t win! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today’s other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Looking for more horse racing betting opportunities? Head over to FanDuel Racing to see all of today’s horse racing odds.

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ and reside in CO, IL, IN, KY, LA (permitted parishes only), MD, MA, MI, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, WY. Offer valid on first win wager. Verified FD Racing account required. Select Races Only. Refund issued in non-withdrawable Racing site credit that expires 7 days after receipt. See terms at racing.fanduel.com. Offer not available in AZ, CT, IA, KS, NC, NJ, TN, or VT. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, KY, MI, OH, PA, IL, VA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).