Kentucky Derby top 50: Bring on the 100-point preps

Pool five of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager just ended, featuring 39 colts and the 'all other' option, which was 11-1. Our Kentucky Derby 2024 rankings feature 50 horses on the first page, but the list is thinning out and after this weekend we may have to consider it a top 30 or 40 ranking.

That being said, while it is tough to envision many of the runners at the bottom of this list as Derby contenders, we now enter the 100-point prep season with eight Kentucky Derby preps offering 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points on the road to the Kentucky Derby schedule. Keep in mind that 3-year-olds develop rapidly at this time of year and any horse who jumps up and runs second in one of these preps is going to get in the Derby. For that matter, any horse who runs third in a 100-point prep has a very good chance to get in as well. 

In terms of rankings, I would recommend looking at this top 50 as a more comprehensive list of possible contenders. Although the list is based on fan rankings, it does a good job of capturing the possible list of contenders. 

But make no mistake, there is a huge gulf of talent between the top 10 and the bottom of this list. Just look at the Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool 5 closing odds. The bottom five on that list of 39 contenders closed at gigantic odds: Corporate Power, 183-1; Epic Ride, 189-1; Time for Truth, 231-1; Le Dom Bro, 263-1; and Lat Long, 468-1. 

Looking ahead, let's start by looking at the preps this weekend. 

The Grade 2 Louisiana Derby is loaded, featuring eight of the top 50: Track Phantom, 4; Catching Freedom, 8; Honor Marie, 15; Common Defense, 16; Agate Road, 20; Hall of Fame, 26; Real Men Violin, 36; and Antiquarian, 46.  

The Jeff Ruby Stakes (G3) run over the synthetic surface at Turfway has seven of the top 50: Woodcourt, 23; Otello, 29; West Saratoga, 37; Seize The Grey, 39; Northern Flame, 40; Lucky Jeremy, 41 and Noted, 43.

In terms of trainers, Todd Pletcher has the most contenders still going at nine: Fierceness, 3; Agate Road, 20; Born Noble, 25; Speak Easy, 31; Be You, 32; Tuscan Sky, 35; Moonlight, 38; Noted, 43; and Antiquarian, 46. 

As we move closer to Derby, Horse Racing Nation's Kentucky Derby 2024 contenders page tracks top 3-year-olds and up-and-coming ones. Keep in mind that these rankings are based on HRN reader votes, so they can change from time to time. If you want to vote on any of the horses, just login, go to a horse page and rate them between one and 10 stars.