The 2024 Kentucky Derby field features several experienced 2024 Kentucky Derby horses, but none more so than Just Steel. The son of Justify and Irish Lights, Just Steel has made 11 starts in his career, recording a runner-up finish in three of his last four races. However, Just Steel has recorded just two wins, his last coming at the Ed Brown last November. Does Just Steel have a realistic shot at winning the first jewel in horse racing’s coveted Triple Crown at Churchill Downs? According to the latest 2024 Kentucky Derby odds, Just Steel is a 20-1 longshot. Meanwhile, Fierceness is the 5-2 Kentucky Derby favorite, while Sierra Leone (3-1) and Catching Freedom (8-1) are also among the top Kentucky Derby 2024 contenders. The 2024 Kentucky Derby post time is 6:57 p.m. ET. With so much to consider while making your 2024 Kentucky Derby picks, a little expert help can go a long way.
The Kentucky Derby has become an iconic event on the American sports calendar, attracting worldwide attention to Churchill Downs. There have been historic moments throughout the years, including Secretariat’s record-setting time of 1:59.4 in 1973. Monarchos was the only other horse to break the 2:00 minute mark in 2001, posting a time of 1:59.97. There are several fast horses in this year’s 2024 Kentucky Derby, but none of them are expected to challenge Secretariat’s historic record. The Kentucky Derby is once again the first leg of the Triple Crown that concludes with the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
Given all the history, there’s a method to picking which horses to focus on for exacta, trifecta and superfecta bets in a Kentucky Derby like this, and SportsLine expert Jody Demling knows what it is. He can help you make the best 2024 Kentucky Derby picks possible.
A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling enters the 2024 Kentucky Derby having nailed the winner of the Belmont Stakes four of the last six years, including an exacta in 2022 with Mo Donegal and Nest. He also called Flightline’s win at the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November of that year.
Demling is at his best in the biggest horse races in the world like the Kentucky Derby 2024. In fact, he has hit 10 of the last 15 Derby-Oaks doubles at Churchill Downs. That means he held a ticket with the winners of both races all but five times in the last 15 years.
He’s also called 10 of the last 19 Preakness winners, including nailing his Preakness winner, exacta and superfecta picks in 2023, keenly understanding when the Kentucky Derby winner was poised for victory or a massive upset. Anyone who has followed him is up huge. Now, he’s sharing all of his 2024 Kentucky Derby bets here.
Top 2024 Kentucky Derby expert picks
Here’s a refresher on these types of bets from SportsLine’s Jody Demling:
Kentucky Derby Exacta: Pick the first- and second-place finishers in the correct order. A $2 exacta returned $330.44 at the 2023 Kentucky Derby with Mage and Two Phil’s.
Kentucky Derby Trifecta: Pick the first-, second- and third-place finishers in the correct order. A $1 trifecta returned $982.36 at the 2023 Kentucky Derby with Mage, Two Phil’s and Angel of Empire.
Kentucky Derby Superfecta: Pick the first-, second-, third- and fourth-place finishers in the correct order. A $1 superfecta returned a colossal $15,643.65 at the 2023 Kentucky Derby with Mage, Two Phil’s, Angel of Empire and Disarm.
Demling is not taking Fierceness (5-2) to win this year, even though he’s the favorite. Instead, he is building his tickets around Sierra Leone and a massive double-digit longshot who “keeps getting better and better.” You can see his picks here.
How to make 2024 Kentucky Derby bets
Demling has specific recommendations for exacta, trifecta and superfecta wagers so you can cover all your bases at the Kentucky Derby 2024. He’s sharing them over at SportsLine.
So which horses do you take? And in what combinations? Visit SportsLine to get Demling’s picks for exacta, trifecta and superfecta bets for the 2024 Kentucky Derby.
