Kentucky Derby 2024: Prize Money Purse, Latest Vegas Odds Payouts and More

The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby is rapidly approaching. On Saturday evening, a talented field of horses and jockeys will compete in "The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports."

Naturally, the Run for the Rosters will also kick off the race for the coveted Triple Crown. Justify was the last horse to win the Triple Crown, and it hasn't happened since 2018. There are a few legitimate Tripe Crown contenders in the field this year, but they'll have to win a difficult race at Churchill Downs before eyeing the Preakness and Belmont Stakes

This year's post draw took place last Saturday, a full week before the race, and it laid the groundwork for an interesting lineup. Early favorite Fierceness, for example, dew the No. 17 gate, a position that has never produced a Kentucky Derby winner.

Here, you'll find a look at the 2024 Kentucky Derby field, the latest odd, and everything else you need to know.

Where: Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky

Date: Saturday, May 4

Post Time: 6:57 p.m. ET

Prize Purse: $5 million ($3.1 million to winner)

TV and Live-Stream (all times ET):

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: FanDuel TV

12:00 - 2:30 p.m.: USA and Peacock

2:30 - 7:30 p.m.: NBC and Peacock

7:30 p.m. - Final Race.: FanDuel TV

Check out Vivid Seats for tickets to the 150th Kentucky Derby and other horse racing events.

1. Dornoch (trainer Danny Gargan): 21-1 ($1 to win pays $21)

2. Sierra Leone (trainer Chad Brown): 9-2

3. Mystik Dan (trainer Kenny McPeak) 16-1

4. Catching Freedom (trainer Brad Cox): 8-1

5. Catalytic (trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.): 36-1

6. Just Steel (trainer Wayne Lukas): 26-1

7. Honor Marie (trainer Whit Beckman): 12-1

8. Just A Touch (trainer Brad Cox): 12-1

9. Encino (trainer Brad Cox): Scratched

10. T O Password (trainer Daisuke Takayanagi): 52-1

11. Forever Young (trainer Yoshito Yahagi): 7-1

12. Track Phantom (trainer Steve Asmussen): 41-1

13. West Saratoga (trainer Larry Demeritte): 30-1

14. Endlessly (trainer Michael McCarthy): 45-1

15. Domestic Product (trainer Chad Brown): 31-1

16. Grand Mo The First (trainer Victor Barboza Jr.): 48-1

17. Fierceness (trainer Todd Pletcher): 5-2

18. Stronghold (trainer Phil D'Amato: 32-1

19. Resilience (trainer Bill Mott): 27-1

20. Society Man (trainer Danny Gargan): 53-1

21. Epic Ride (trainer John Ennis): 53-1

22. Mugatu (trainer Jeff Engler): 72-1

Odds via KentuckyDerby.com

Despite a historically unfavorable starting position, Fierceness remains the favorite and has seen morning-line odds shift from 5-2 to 8-5 and back to 5-2.

The Todd Pletcher-trained horse certainly has the speed to win, and jockey John Velazquez is a three-time Derby winner. While betting on Fierceness to win may be the "safe" play, however, it's not the most lucrative.

Several experts are instead backing Sierra Leone, according to Ben Roberts of the Lexington Herald-Leader. The Chard Brown-trained horse is still among the early favorites, but the odds have become a bit more enticing since the shift from a 3-1 morning line.

According to Cameron Drummond of the Lexington Herald-Leader, Mystik Dan "figures into the outcome" if rain becomes a factor on Saturday. According to Weather.com, rain is indeed in the forecast for this weekend.

Forever Young, who could become the first Japanese horse to win the Derby, is another contender to watch. Trained by Yoshito Yahagi, Forever Young carries an undefeated record into Churchill Downs.

Just a Touch, son of Justify, is inexperienced but is a long shot to consider.

"He's very, very talented, trainer Brad Cox said, per Jason Frakes of the Louisville Courier Journal. "We've liked him pretty much since he came in last November."

Honor Marie has become a popular pick throughout the week, though Frakes has advised to exercise caution.

"He appears to be entering 'wise-guy pick' status, and the 'wise-guy pick' never wins," Frakes wrote.

Bettors looking for an extreme dark horse might want to consider Epic Ride, who entered the field when Encino was scratched earlier this week. Epic Ride has long odds, but fans won't easily forget that Rich Strike won the Derby as an alternate just two years ago.

For those looking to back the favorites, doing with an exacta (top two finishers) or trifecta (top three) could be alluring. According to SportsLine's Jody Demling (h/t CBS Sports), a $2 Exacta in 2023 paid out $330.44 and a $1 trifecta paid $982.36.

Per Demling, a $1 superfecta (top four finishers) paid $15,643.65 at the 2023 Derby.

Fans will have no shortage of wagering options during the lead-up to the race. The big unknown, of course, is who will win. The answer won't come until Saturday evening.