3 Dark Horses To Consider If Betting Kentucky Derby Longshots
The Kentucky Derby is approaching, and a lot is at stake during the first leg of the Triple Crown. While bettors are focused heavily on favorites like Fierceness and Sierra Leone, there are some notable Kentucky Derby longshots to ponder. Here are three dark horses for Derby betting fans might consider when looking at Derby odds.
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No. 8 Just A Touch
With 10-1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby at FanDuel Racing and running out of the No. 8 post, Just A Touch is not a huge price but one getting some attention outside the top few favorites. With just three races under its belt, the Derby prospect has two second-place finishes and one first-place finish on the year.
In his most recent outing, the 2024 Blue Grass Stakes, the three-year-old ran well but failed to hold off Sierra Leone down the stretch. Just A Touch finished second, with Sierra Leone winning in 1:50.08. Bettors should consider this dark horse because of the potential for another explosive performance. This time, Just A Touch could further improve and outright beat Sierra Leone with his favorable post position.
TheLines.com’s Eli Hershkovich also spoke with one of FanDuel Racing’s analysts about why he likes Just A Touch.
No. 1 Dornoch
Dornoch sits with 20-1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby and is running out of the first gate. Dornoch has been enjoying a strong 2024 so far after winning the Fountain of Youth (1:43.64) and coming in fourth at the Blue Grass Stakes behind the winning time of 1:50.08.
The thoroughbred also had another graded-stakes win in the Remsen. Dornoch is trained by Danny Gargan, who finished 19th in the 2019 Derby with Tax. This is Gargan’s second Kentucky Derby.
Bettors should pay close attention to Dornoch due to his performance against some of the biggest names competing. For his career, Dornoch has three first-place finishes and two second-place finishes in six races.
But the Derby post position draw did him no favors.
No. 6 Just Steel
The most experienced horse in the field, Just Steel has 20-1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby. He has been racing consistently through 2023 and 2024 with varying results. As a three-year-old, Just Steel has three second-place finishes in four starts.
At the 2024 Arkansas Derby, Muth won with a time of 1:49.54, ahead of Just Steel in second.
An up-and-down, unpredictable horse could very well see his higher-end performance shine at the Kentucky Derby. Running out of the No. 6 post also doesn’t hurt Just Steel’s chances either. Bettors should consider looking at a horse like Just Steel because this streakiness could arise on the big stage, making him a decent consideration among Kentucky Derby longshots.
Like Just A Touch, he is sired by Triple Crown winner Justify.
2024 Kentucky Derby Odds
| Post Position | Horse | Morning line odds | Updated Kentucky Derby odds | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dornoch | 20-1 | 22-1 | Danny Gargan | Luis Saez |
| 2. | Sierra Leone | 3-1 | 5-1 | Chad Brown | Tyler Gaffalione |
| 3. | Mystik Dan | 20-1 | 16-1 | Kenny McPeek | Brian Hernandez |
| 4. | Catching Freedom | 8-1 | 8-1 | Brad Cox | Flavien Prat |
| 5. | Catalytic | 30-1 | 32-1 | Saffie Joseph | Jose Ortiz |
| 6. | Just Steel | 20-1 | 22-1 | D. Wayne Lukas | Keith Asmussen |
| 7. | Honor Marie | 20-1 | 13-1 | Whit Beckman | Ben Curtis |
| 8. | Just A Touch | 10-1 | 10-1 | Brad Cox | Florent Geroux |
| 9. | Encino | Scratched | Scratched | Brad Cox | Axel Concepcion |
| 10. | T O Passowrd (JPN) | 30-1 | 47-1 | Daisuke Takayanagi | Kazushi Kimura |
| 11. | Forever Young (JPN) | 10-1 | 6-1 | Yoshito Yahagi | Ryusei Sakai |
| 12. | Track Phantom | 20-1 | 40-1 | Steve Asmussen | Joel Rosario |
| 13. | West Saratoga | 50-1 | 23-1 | Larry Demeritte | Jesus Castanon |
| 14. | Endlessly | 30-1 | 47-1 | Michael McCarthy | Umberto Rispoli |
| 15. | Domestic Product | 30-1 | 28-1 | Chad Brown | Irad Ortiz |
| 16. | Grand Mo The First | 50-1 | 45-1 | Victor Barboza | Emisael Jaramillo |
| 17. | Fierceness | 5-2 | 7-2 | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez |
| 18. | Stronghold | 20-1 | 35-1 | Philip D’Amato | Antonio Fresu |
| 19. | Resilience | 20-1 | 29-1 | Bill Mott | Junior Alvarado |
| 20. | Society Man | 50-1 | 46-1 | Danny Gargan | Frankie Dettori |
| 21. | Epic Ride | 50-1 | 44-1 | John Ennis | Adam Beschizza |
| 22. | Mugatu | Scratched | Scratched | Jeff Engler | Joseph Talamo |
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