Fierceness, Sierra Leone Drawn Near Opposite Ends Of Kentucky Derby Starting Gate

The 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby, worth an increased $5 million this year, will see the top two choices on opposite ends of the starting gate next Saturday. Florida Derby winner Fierceness, favored on the morning line at 5-2 will break from post 17 under John Velazquez, while 3-1 second choice, Blue Grass winner Sierra Leone, will have to work out his late-running trip from post two under jockey Tyler Gaffalione.

Post 17 has never won the Run for the Roses, but Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher was pleased with the spot for the 2023 Juvenile Champion.

"We were kind of hoping for an outside draw," Pletcher said. "It looks like all the speed is drawn inside of him, so it should give Johnny a chance to survey what's happening."

Meanwhile, trainer Chad Brown's Sierra Leone may be able to save some ground from post two, but will need to find a way through traffic with his late-running style. The son of Gun Runner is undefeated in two starts this year, and was especially impressive when circling the field last out in the G1 Blue Grass.

The third choice on the morning line is Catching Freedom at 8-1, breaking from post four under Flavien Prat. The Constitution colt won the G2 Louisiana Derby, and will be trying to give Louisville native Brad Cox his first win in the Run for the Roses.

Just A Touch, runner-up behind Sierra Leone in the G1 Blue Grass, is the fourth choice at 10-1. Also trained by Brad Cox, the lightly-raced son of Justify has done little wrong in his three-race career.

There are international interests aplenty in this year's field, with two undefeated horses from Japan entered to run and internationally-renowned jockey Frankie Dettori scheduled to ride 50-1 longshot Society Man from post 20.

Kentucky Derby Field

1. Dornoch - Luis Saez (20-1)
2. Sierra Leone - Tyler Gaffalione (3-1)
3. Mystik Dan - Brian Hernandez, Jr. (20-1)
4. Catching Freedom - Flavien Prat (8-1)
5. Catalytic - Jose Ortiz (30-1)
6. Just Steel - Keith Asmussen (20-1)
7. Honor Marie - Ben Curtis (20-1)
8. Just A Touch - Florent Geroux (10-1)
9. Encino - Axel Concepcion (20-1)
10. T O Password - Kazushi Kimura (30-1)
11. Forever Young - Ryusei Sakai (10-1)
12. Track Phantom* - Joel Rosario (20-1)
13. West Saratoga - Jesus Castanon (50-1)
14. Endlessly - Umberto Rispoli (30-1)
15. Domestic Product - Irad Ortiz, Jr. (30-1)
16. Grand Mo The First - Emisael Jaramillo (50-1)
17. Fierceness - John Velazquez (5-2)
18. Stronghold - Antonio Fresu (20-1)
19. Resilience - Junior Alvarado (20-1)
20. Society Man - Frankie Dettori (50-1)
21. AE: Epic Ride - Adam Beschizza
22. AE: Mugatu - Joe Talamo

*blinkers on 

Kentucky Oaks Field

1. Tapit Jenallie - Emmanuel Esquivel
2. Gin Gin - Florent Geroux
3. Where's My Ring - Jose Lezcano
4. Regulatory Risk - Jose Ortiz
5. Thorpedo Anna - Brian Hernandez, Jr.
6. Lemon Muffin - Keith Asmussen
7. Fiona's Magic - Luis Saez
8. Tarifa - Flavien Prat
9. Everland - Abel Cedillo
10. Into Champagne - Julien Leparoux
11. Ways and Means - Tyler Gaffalione
12. Power Squeeze - Daniel Centeno
13. Just F Y I - Junior Alvarado
14. Leslie's Rose - Irad Ortiz, Jr.
15. AE: Our Pretty Woman - Joel Rosario
16. AE: Candied - Luis Saez