It’s become incredibly difficult to predict what to expect on Kentucky Derby day in recent years. In the last six years alone, the event has seen record rainfall, a winner who wasn’t the first horse to cross the finish line, a winner disqualified nine months after the race, and a winner with 80-1 odds.
Is more shock and awe in store at Churchill Downs on Saturday?
The odds have settled to the point that four horses stand out as the favorites compared to the rest of the field. Fierceness, trained by two-time Kentucky Derby winner Todd Pletcher, is the race’s consensus favorite, but Sierra Leone, Forever Young and Catching Freedom aren’t too far behind.
MORE: Watch the Kentucky Derby live with Fubo (free trial)
Odds haven’t guaranteed anything over the last few years, as 2019 and 2022 both produced longshot winners. Even last year’s champion, Mage, closed at 15-1 odds. Will order be restored Saturday, or will chaos reign and another surprise Kentucky Derby winner emerge?
Weather could also be a factor at Churchill Downs, as rain in the forecast between Friday and Saturday could muddy the track even if it tapers off before post time.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates, results and highlights from the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Follow along below with the race at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby live updates, highlights, results
(All times Eastern)
6:24 p.m. — The signature Kentucky Derby walkover continues, and one familiar face for baseball fans is among the group: former Nationals and Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth, who owns Dornoch.
6:17 p.m. — It’s a family affair for Track Phantom trainer Steve Asmussen, as his son, Keith, is Just Steel’s jockey. Oh, and he’s much taller than most jockeys.
6:05 p.m. — As the broadcast points out, betting favorites have finished high in recent editions of the Kentucky Derby, but they haven’t won over the last five years. Fierceness is looking to change that trend.
5:48 p.m. — Endlessly (47-1) has the most distant odds at the moment, which means even the biggest possible upset wouldn’t rival Rich Strike’s win at 80-1 odds in 2022. Fierceness is the favorite at 7-2.
5:40 p.m. — The weather remains better than expected at Churchill Downs as post time inches closer.
Some of the people hanging at the front of @ChurchillDowns. #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/Bo5CMsbkwZ
— Mario Anderson 📺 (@MarioAndersonTV) May 4, 2024
5:05 p.m. — There are some small scattered thunderstorms in the Louisville area, but so far the rain is holding off with post time less than two hours away.
4:50 p.m. — A special guest arrives at Churchill Downs:
Kevin the Minion has made it to the Kentucky Derby! 😎 @Minions | #KyDerby pic.twitter.com/Fb5wLwYQvA
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 4, 2024
4:35 p.m. — Gun Pilot prevails in the Churchill Downs Stakes. This was the race won by inspirational Cody’s Wish a year ago.
Gun Pilot kicks clear in the stretch to win the G1 Churchill Downs Stakes presented by @Ford! Cristian Torres was aboard the Three Chimneys Farm homebred. pic.twitter.com/BnYUfSA4lC
— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 4, 2024
4:15 p.m. — Fierceness remains the favorite with 7-2 odds at this point, with Sierra Leone (5-1) and Forever Young (6-1) just behind. Forever Young jumped Catching Freedom, who had the third-shortest odds for much of the day.
3:40 p.m. — Some early views from Churchill Downs, where rain is largely holding off so far.
Derby Day views. #KyDerby | @ChurchillDowns pic.twitter.com/aOLXOtlMi5
— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 4, 2024
3:30 p.m. — A well-dressed Travis Kelce is among the celebrities in attendance at Churchill Downs.
Travis Kelce is at the Kentucky Derby pic.twitter.com/Yu3lIY4VbH
— BBQ Chiefs (@BBQChiefs) May 4, 2024
2024 Kentucky Derby post time
- Date: Saturday, May 4
- Post time: 6:57 p.m. ET
- TV channel: NBC
- Live stream: Peacock | NBC Sports app | Fubo
NBC’s live coverage of the Kentucky Derby will start at 2:30 p.m. ET, more than four hours before the race’s 6:57 p.m. ET post time.
Viewers can also stream the Kentucky Derby on Peacock, the NBC Sports App, or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
2024 Kentucky Derby post positions
| Post Position (Number) | Horse | Odds |
| 1 (1) | Dornoch | 18-1 |
| 2 (2) | Sierra Leone | 9-2 |
| 3 (3) | Mystik Dan | 18-1 |
| 4 (4) | Catching Freedom | 8-1 |
| 5 (5) | Catalytic | 37-1 |
| 6 (6) | Just Steel | 28-1 |
| 7 (7) | Honor Marie | 13-1 |
| 8 (8) | Just a Touch | 13-1 |
| 9 (10) | T O Password | 56-1 |
| 10 (11) | Forever Young | 7-1 |
| 11 (12) | Track Phantom | 45-1 |
| 12 (13) | West Saratoga | 30-1 |
| 13 (14) | Endlessly | 50-1 |
| 14 (15) | Domestic Product | 31-1 |
| 15 (16) | Grand Mo the First | 54-1 |
| 16 (17) | Fierceness | 5-2 |
| 17 (18) | Stronghold | 35-1 |
| 18 (19) | Resilience | 26-1 |
| 19 (20) | Society Man | 60-1 |
| 20 (21) | Epic Ride | 55-1 |
