Kentucky Derby 2024 scouting report: East division

The east division of the Kentucky Derby 2024 scouting report includes Derby prep races that are run in New York, Florida and Maryland. That means stakes at Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs and Laurel Park.

Since the road to the Derby began in September, eight official points races were run, and four of them were won by 2-year-olds in the east division. Fierceness was victorious in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity was won by Locked. Timberlake was the winner of the 2023 Champagne (G1), run as part of the Belmont at the Big A meeting, and Dornoch was first in the Remsen (G2) on Dec. 2.

From the 21 horses listed in this first east division report, trainer Todd Pletcher has four and Chad Brown, Saffie Joseph Jr. and Brad Cox have two each. Gun Runner is the top sire in this report with a pair of promising 2-year-olds.

The following lists show each horse with his odds at Caesars Sportsbook in Nevada, Kentucky Derby Future Wager odds from pool 2 last month, sire, trainer, owner, most recent race and Derby qualifying points.

The leader

Fierceness - Caesars 15-1, KDFW 2 8-1, City of Light, Todd Pletcher, Repole Stable; 1st Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at SA, 30 Derby points. As was the case last year in the first Derby scouting report with Forte, Todd Pletcher is the trainer, Mike Repole is the owner, and the horse won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. But Fierceness has not dominated the juvenile division. He was an impressive debut winner at Saratoga by 11 lengths then did very little running in the Champagne on a sloppy track and was a distant seventh. He is expected to resume serious training soon in preparation for the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 3.

First tier

These contenders are stakes winners and/or have earned Derby qualifying points. They are listed alphabetically. All horses shown with KDFW odds of 6-5 were part of a mutuel field of all other 2-year-olds not individually listed.

Dornoch. Caesars 50-1; KDFW 2 19-1; Good Magic; Danny Gargan; West Paces Racing, R.A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing, Two Eight racing and Pine Racing; 1st Remsen (G2) at AQU, 10 Derby points.

Drum Roll Please. Caesars 125-1; KDFW 2 99-1; Hard Spun; Brad Cox; Gold Square; 3rd Remsen at AQU; 3 Derby points.

El Grande O. Caesars 150-; KDFW 2 6-5; Take Charge Indy; Linda Rice; Barry Schwartz; 1st Sleepy Hollow at AQU; 0 Derby points.

Locked. Caesars 30-1; KDFW 2 14-1; Gun Runner; Todd Pletcher; Eclipse Thoroughbred and Walmac Farm; 3rd Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at SA; 19 Derby points.

Moonlight. Caesars 100-1; KDFW 2 87-1; Audible; Todd Pletcher; Town and Country Racing and Madaket Stables; 4th Remsen at AQU; 7 Derby points.

Sierra Leone. Caesars 75-1; KDFW 2 36-1; Gun Runner; Chad Brown; Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing and Peter Brant; 2nd Remsen at AQU; 5 Derby points.

The Wine Steward. Caesars 40-1; KDFW 2 50-1; Vino Rosso; Mike Maker; Paradise Farms and David Staudacher; 2nd Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at KEE; 5 Derby points.

Timberlake. Caesars 70-1; KDFW 2 27-1; Into Mischief; Brad Cox; Siena Farm and WinStar Farm; 4th Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at SA' 16 Derby points.

Second tier

These horses had a noteworthy performance beyond their maiden victory but did not win a Derby prep and have yet to gather qualifying points. They are listed alphabetically.

Book 'em Danno. Caesars 150-1; KDFW 2 6-5; Bucchero; Derek Ryan; Atlantic Six Racing; 2nd Nashua at AQU.

Patriot Spirit. Caesars 150-1; KDFW 2 6-5; Constitution; Michael Campbell; Mellon Patch; 1st Inaugural at TAM.

Pirate. Caesars 100-1; KDFW 2 6-5; Omaha Beach; Todd Pletcher; Harrell Ventures and Starlight Racing; 3rd Hopeful at SAR.

Rhyme Schemes. Caesars 85-1; KDFW 2 6-5; Ghostzapper; Norm Casse; Pure Vida Investments; 1st Saratoga Special at SAR.

Ones to watch

This is a list of current 2-year-olds with impressive maiden victories who could be preparing to make starts in Kentucky Derby prep races.

Air of Defiance. Caesars 75-1; KDFW 2 6-5; Quality Road; Brad Cox; Gold Square; 1st maiden special weight at KEE.

Catalytic. Caesars 150-1; KDFW 2 6-5; Catalina Cruiser; Saffie Joseph Jr.; Tami Bobo, Julie Davies and George Isaacs; 1st maiden special weight at GP.

Commissioner Dan. Caesars 200-1; KDFW 2 6-5; Commissioner; Pavel Matejka; Bob Grayson Jr., Oreste Risi and Pavel Matejka; 1st maiden special weight at KEE.

Deterministic. Caesars 150-1; KDFW 2 6-5; Liam’s Map; Christophe Clement' St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker and Vicerage Stable; 1st maiden special weight at SAR.

El Capi. Caesars 100-1; KDFW 2 6-5; Maclean’s Music; Rick Dutrow Jr.; P and G Stable; 1st maiden special weight at AQU.

Merit. Caesars 150-1; KDFW 2 99-1; Mastery; Saffie Joseph Jr.; Peter Blum Thoroughbreds; 1st maiden special weight at GP.

No More Time. Caesars 150-1; KDFW 2 6-5; Not This Time; Jose D’Angelo; Morplay Racing; 1st maiden special weight at GP.

Otello. Caesars 150-1; KDFW 2 6-5; Curlin; Christophe Clement; Siena Farm and WinStar Farm; 1st maiden special weight at AQU.

Remaining east division preps

Jerome – Aqueduct, Jan. 6, 10-5-3-2-1

Holy Bull (G3) – Gulfstream Park, Feb. 3, 20-10-6-4-2

Withers (G3) – Aqueduct, Feb. 10, 20-10-6-4-2

Sam F. Davis (G3) – Tampa Bay Downs, Feb. 10, 20-10-6-4-2

Fountain of Youth (G2) – Gulfstream Park, March 2, 50-25-15-10-5

Gotham (G3) – Aqueduct, March 2, 50-25-15-10-5

Tampa Bay Derby (G2) – Tampa Bay Downs, March 9, 50-25-15-10-5

Florida Derby (G1) – Gulfstream Park, March 30, 100-50-25-15-10

Wood Memorial (G2) – Aqueduct, April 6, 100-50-25-15-10