Fierceness has been named the 5-2 morning line favorite for the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, set to take place on May 4. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the colt will be aiming to make history by winning from the No. 17 post position, a feat that has not been achieved in 45 attempts.
Coming off a dominant 13 1/2-length victory in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, Fierceness is looking to secure Pletcher his third Derby win, with his last victory dating back to 2017 with Always Dreaming. Sierra Leone, with 155 qualifying points, is the 3-1 second choice for the Derby, drawing the No. 2 post position. The son of Gun Runner has shown impressive form, winning both of his starts this year, including a thrilling victory in the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland.
In the Kentucky Oaks, Tarifa, trained by Brad Cox, is the 7-2 morning line favorite after drawing the No. 8 post. Having won all three starts this season and leading the Oaks trail with 150 points, Tarifa will be looking to give Cox his third Oaks win.
Catching Freedom, the 8-1 third choice for the Derby, will start from the No. 14 post. Cox, who had Mandaloun elevated to the 2021 Derby winner, will be seeking his first outright Derby victory with Catching Freedom.
On the Oaks side, Just F Y I, trained by Bill Mott, is the 9-2 second choice and will start from the No. 13 post. Leslie's Rose, the 4-1 third choice, will start from the far No. 14 post after her win in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland.
The draw for the races was held on the opening night of Churchill Downs' spring meet, a week ahead of the milestone race. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. ET, while the Oaks is scheduled for a 5:51 p.m. post.
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