3 Dark Horses To Consider If Betting Kentucky Derby Longshots

Written By Giovanni Shorter | Published at May 1, 2024
Kentucky Derby Betting

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 PositionHorseMorning line oddsUpdated Kentucky
Derby odds
TrainerJockey
1.Dornoch20-122-1Danny GarganLuis Saez
2.Sierra Leone3-15-1Chad BrownTyler Gaffalione
3.Mystik Dan20-116-1Kenny McPeekBrian Hernandez
4.Catching Freedom8-18-1Brad CoxFlavien Prat
5.Catalytic30-132-1Saffie JosephJose Ortiz
6. Just Steel20-122-1D. Wayne LukasKeith Asmussen
7.Honor Marie20-113-1Whit BeckmanBen Curtis
8.Just A Touch10-110-1Brad CoxFlorent Geroux
9. EncinoScratchedScratchedBrad CoxAxel Concepcion
10.T O Passowrd (JPN)30-147-1Daisuke TakayanagiKazushi Kimura
11.Forever Young (JPN)10-16-1Yoshito YahagiRyusei Sakai
12.Track Phantom20-140-1Steve AsmussenJoel Rosario
13.West Saratoga50-123-1Larry DemeritteJesus Castanon
14.Endlessly30-147-1Michael McCarthyUmberto Rispoli
15.Domestic Product30-128-1Chad BrownIrad Ortiz
16. Grand Mo The First50-145-1Victor BarbozaEmisael Jaramillo
17.Fierceness5-27-2Todd PletcherJohn Velazquez
18.Stronghold20-135-1Philip D'AmatoAntonio Fresu
19.Resilience20-129-1Bill MottJunior Alvarado
20.Society Man50-146-1Danny GarganFrankie Dettori
21.Epic Ride50-144-1John EnnisAdam Beschizza
22. MugatuScratchedScratchedJeff EnglerJoseph Talamo