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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Off a dazzling victory in the Florida Derby, favored Fierceness drew the No. 17 post position for Kentucky Derby 150 next Saturday at Churchill Downs. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by jockey John Velasquez, Fierceness has won three of five career starts including a record 13 1/2-length score in the Florida Derby March 30. The colt, however, has yet to win back-to-back races while earning $1.7 million in his career. In Derby history, 44 horses have started from post 17. None of the 44 have won, with one finishing second and a pair finishing third. Still, Fierceness earned 5-2 favorite status in the morning line odds. At 3-1, Sierra Leone is expected to be the second betting choice. "Most of the speed is lined up inside and is trying to come out running," Pletcher said. "We'll kind of see where everybody's positioned.
Kentucky Derby favorite Fierceness draws the No. 17 during the official post position draw Saturday night at Churchill Downs. "Potentially I think there is a little less traffic. When you have a horse like him with natural speed, he can kind of gradually work his way over." A full 20-horse field was drawn for the race, which is scheduled to start at 6:57 p.m. and air on NBC. It will the 12th of 14 races on the Churchill card that day. The Derby purse was increased to $5 million, with $3.1 million awarded to the winner. Second-choice Sierra Leone scored a come-from behind 1 1/2-length victory in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in Lexington on April 7. Sierra Leone is trained by Chad Brown, who is chasing his first Derby victory. The colt has won both starts this season and three of four in his career with earnings of $918,000. Sierra Leone drew post No. 2. The last Derby winner from the 2-hole was Affirmed in 1978. "The inside post is where you want to be," Brown said. "So it's just a matter of getting through there and nobody can predict that." Brown will also saddle Domestic Product. The pair will be his eighth and ninth Derby horses. He trained Good Magic to a second-place finish in 2018 and Zandon, the third-place horse two years ago.
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher watches training at Churchill Downs on April 24, 2023. Fierceness will be Pletcher's 65th Derby starter in his Hall of Fame career, extending his race record. Pletcher won the Derby in 2010 with Super Saver and again seven years later with Always Dreaming. Fierceness is owned by Mike Repole, who is also chasing his first Derby victory. Repole has been the owner or part-owner of seven Derby starters but never finished better than fifth. "No complaints (about the post)," Repole said. "Somebody just told me Post 17 was 0-44 so we don't mind making history. We'll take it. We really are excited the speed is inside of us." Repole's strongest Derby disappointment came last year when a veterinarian from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission ruled his colt, Forte, out of the race because of concerns about a bruised right foot. The decision was made the morning of the race. This will be the 26th Derby mount for Velasquez, a Hall of Fame rider. He's won the Derby three times: aboard Animal Kingdom (2011), Always Dreaming (2017) and Authentic (2020). He's won from post 15 (Authentic); post 5 (Always Dreaming) and post 16 (Animal Kingdom). Only three jockeys have won the Derby four or more times: Bill Shoemaker with four wins and Bill Hartack and Eddie Arcaro with five each. In the new purse structure, second place will pay $1 million; third $500,000; fourth $250,000 and fifth $125,000. Here is the complete post position draw: Also eligible: Epic Ride, Mugatu Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
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