2022 Florida Derby Odds2022 Florida Derby Odds

Odds and Contenders

2024 Florida Derby

Saturday, April 1, 2023

By TVG Staff

Updated: March 24, 2024

2024 Florida Derby Betting Information

The 2024 Florida Derby will take place at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, on March 30. The $1 million contest—officially known as the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa—is a Grade 1 race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. It is open to both male and female horses, although it is contested almost exclusively by males, and is one of the most important preps for the Kentucky Derby run each year. Twenty-four horses that ran in the Florida Derby have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby, which is more than any other prep race.


Florida Derby Odds

The 2024 Florida Derby drew a competitive field of 11, led by champion juvenile Fierceness and up-and-coming Conquest Warrior. This is the full list of entrants for the race, including post positions, trainers, jockeys, and morning-line odds for each runner:

PostHorseTrainerJockeyOdds
1Frankie’s EmpireMichael YatesMiguel Vasquez12-1
2HadesJoseph OrsenoPaco Lopez7-2
3Bail Us OutTodd PletcherIrad Ortiz, Jr.15-1
4Grand Mo the FirstVictor Barboza, JrEmisael Jaramillo15-1
5Real MachoRohan CrichtonJavier Castellano20-1
6Le Dom BroEniel CorderoEdwin Gonzalez15-1
7CatalyticSaffie Joseph, Jr.Julien Leparoux20-1
8Seminole ChiefJack SistersonJoel Rosario30-1
9Conquest WarriorShug McGaugheyJose Ortiz3-1
10FiercenessTodd PletcherJohn Velazquez8-5
11Iris’s DreamCheryl WinebaughJorge Ruiz30-1

Expect the odds to change considerably as the race gets closer, up until post time. Morning lines are typically a good gauge of what the tote board will look like on race day, but it pays to watch the tote. You will be able to view current odds and Florida Derby live odds on race day on FanDuel TV and TVG.com.


Gulfstream Park

Gulfstream Park is the historic racetrack that hosts the Florida Derby each year. It is the only American racetrack that offers all three racing surfaces: conventional dirt, turf, and a synthetic Tapeta surface. The outer track is a dirt course measuring one and one-eighth miles around, complete with a chute that allows for classic one-turn dirt mile races. The next track inward is a one-mile and seventy-yard Tapeta track that opened in 2021. The inner course is a seven-furlong turf track.

Gulfstream Park has hosted many major races over the years, including the Breeders’ Cup in 1989, 1992, and 1999. In 2017, the race ran the rich Pegasus World Cup for the first time, which was at one time the world’s richest horse race. But the Florida Derby, run along the road to the Kentucky Derby, remains Gulfstream Park’s most established and famous race.

Florida Derby Prep Results

There are three local prep races for the Florida Derby. The first is the Mucho Macho Man Stakes in early January, which offers no Derby points but gives horses a class test and a chance to try the Gulfstream footing. The 10-point Holy Bull (G3) is next and typically happens during the last week of January. The Fountain of Youth (G2), a rich race for some of the best young horses in training, takes place in late February as the final prep for the prestigious Florida Derby. The Fountain of Youth offers 50 Road to the Kentucky Derby points to its winner, which virtually guarantees them a spot in the big race.

Otello won the 2024 Mucho Macho Man though he has struggled on the Kentucky Derby trail after that, finishing sixth in the Holy Bull and then ninth in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park. The Holy Bull went to Hades, who returns for his final prep in the Florida Derby along with third-place finisher and beaten favorite Fierceness. Fountain of Youth winner Dornoch does not return for the Florida Derby, though second-place Le Dom Bro, third-place Frankie’s Empire and fourth-place Real Macho all line up.

Florida Derby Contenders

Among the field of 11 in the 2024 Florida Derby, these are the leading contenders:

  • Bail Us Out: You can’t ever count Todd Pletcher out from the Florida Derby, given that he has won five of the last ten editions. Bail Us Out is the Pletcher “B”, but a few of Pletcher’s wins have come with these sneaky, late-blooming types. Though his maiden win came on Tapeta, he has enough distance breeding, dirt breeding, and tactical speed to be in the mix at a price.

    • Conquest Warrior: He has yet to face stakes company, but he has gotten attention since selling for $1 million as a yearling, and he is rounding into a horse who may have been worth the cash. He looked especially good last out when stretching out to win an allowance over the same course and distance as the Florida Derby. He has shown he can close over the Gulfstream dirt, and with some possibility that the pace gets hot, he could trip out nicely.

    • Fierceness: He was defeated as the heavy favorite in the Holy Bull, but last year’s juvenile champion had a bad start in that outing and could improve second off the lay for Todd Pletcher. His speed figures in his wins demolish what anyone else has shown so far, and he has enough speed to be a perfect fit for the Gulfstream course on a big day. If he gets away cleanly, the rest may be in trouble.

    • Grand Mo the First: His pedigree is replete with distance influence, and he finished only a neck beaten by Domestic product and No More Time in the Tampa Bay Derby. This son of Uncle Mo should enjoy the extra half furlong of the Florida Derby, and he has good enough tactical speed to work a trip. Also, with strong Florida connections in his corner, he may go off at a price with less familiar nationwide bettors playing the pool.

    • Hades: Undefeated in three starts, he made the grade when trying two turns and Kentucky Derby trail company for the first time in the Holy Bull. Though he drew inside of other speed, he handled the fence well in the Holy Bull, allaying concerns about that post. A horse who can do dirty work on the front end and keep going is always dangerous in Hallendale Beach, and Hades is such a horse.

    • Le Dom Bro: It would be difficult to see Le Dom Bro winning this race, as his only victory so far came in a maiden sprint. However, he has the speed to get a forward trip and he is often able to chase on for a piece of the pie. He comes third off the layoff and his pedigree suggests that he should be able to handle this extra bit of distance, meaning he should be able to track the pace and keep running on for a minor award.

Florida Derby Winners

Some of the most famous Florida Derby winners include the ones who went on to win the Kentucky Derby: Always Dreaming (2017), Nyquist (2016), Orb (2013), Big Brown (2008), Barbaro (2006), and Monarchos (2001). The list goes back even further, with names like Thunder Gulch, Unbridled, Snow Chief, and Swale. In 2019, Maximum Security won both the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby, but was ultimately disqualified in the latter for causing interference.

Many Florida Derby winners use the race as their final prep for the Run for the Roses. Aside from the Kentucky Derby, they have also gone on to win races such as the Travers (Tiz the Law), Belmont Stakes (Empire Maker), and the Met Mile (Holy Bull). Many become great sires as well. Scat Daddy sired Triple Crown winner Justify, while Quality Road is one of the most productive and expensive horses in the stud barn today.

Spectacular Bid is a famous Florida Derby winner, who went on to nearly win the Triple Crown but fell short in the Belmont Stakes. Honest Pleasure was 1-20 when he won the race, paying just ten cents for every $2 wagered on him.

As for Florida Derby connections, trainer Todd Pletcher leads all trainers with six Florida Derby wins, including in 2021 with Known Agenda. He trains Forte, the heavy favorite and the looming class in the 2023 Florida Derby. Jockey John Velazquez leads all riders with five wins, most recently in 2018 with Audible, who went on to finish third in the Kentucky Derby.

Post time for the Florida Derby will be 6:40 pm Eastern Daylight Time on Saturday, March 30. The race will be the 14th and final race on Gulfstream’s stakes-laden card. The race offers serious points toward the 2024 Kentucky Derby. The winner gets 100 points, with second earning 40, and third earning 20. The Kentucky Derby starting gate is made up of the highest point-earning horses, so every horse owner wants to win a race like this. In fact, the points awarded to the top two finishers have always been enough to qualify for the Run for the Roses!

Florida Derby Undercard

While all eyes will be on the winning horse in the Florida Derby, this is one of the biggest spring cards in horse racing. Gulfstream Park will host 10 stakes races on Florida Derby day! The $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) is a 100-point prep for the Kentucky Oaks, meaning several horses from that race will show up at Churchill Downs the day before the Derby.

Other graded races on the card include the $200,000 Pan American (G2) for older turf routers, the $150,000 Orchid (G3) for long-distance grass mares, and the $100,000 Ghostzapper (G3) for older dirt route horses. There are five other stakes on the card as well, making it an important day in a wide range of divisions.

This card offers ample opportunity for betting, so do your homework and keep an eye on the live odds. While the Florida Derby often goes to a favorite, many of the other winning horses may be longshot types that could generate quite a profit! The beauty of horse racing is that for every winning favorite, there are statistically two losing favorites, so you won’t want to miss this card or the key race, the Florida Derby.


Florida Derby FAQ

Q: When is the 2024 Florida Derby?

A: The race will be run on Saturday, March 30, at 6:48 pm EDT.

Q: Where is the Florida Derby?

A: It takes place at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.

Q: Which trainer has the most wins in the Florida Derby?

A: Todd Pletcher has won this race seven times, including six of the last ten years. He can win an eighth Florida Derby with either Fierceness or Bail Us Out.

Q: Who is the favorite for the Florida Derby?

A: Fierceness was named the 8-5 morning-line favorite for the Florida Derby. The champion juvenile was a troubled third in the Fountain of Youth, and given trainer Todd Pletcher’s record in the Florida Derby and that excuse, it will be no surprise for him to hold favoritism. However, watch for action on Conquest Warrior, the 3-1 morning-line second choice, who was a strong winner over this course and distance already.

Q: Who is the best Florida Derby jockey?

A: John Velazquez has ridden the winner five times. He goes for a sixth this year with Fierceness.

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By TVG Staff

Updated: March 24, 2024

2024 Florida Derby Betting Information

The 2024 Florida Derby will take place at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, on March 30. The $1 million contest—officially known as the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa—is a Grade 1 race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. It is open to both male and female horses, although it is contested almost exclusively by males, and is one of the most important preps for the Kentucky Derby run each year. Twenty-four horses that ran in the Florida Derby have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby, which is more than any other prep race.


Florida Derby Odds

The 2024 Florida Derby drew a competitive field of 11, led by champion juvenile Fierceness and up-and-coming Conquest Warrior. This is the full list of entrants for the race, including post positions, trainers, jockeys, and morning-line odds for each runner:

PostHorseTrainerJockeyOdds
1Frankie’s EmpireMichael YatesMiguel Vasquez12-1
2HadesJoseph OrsenoPaco Lopez7-2
3Bail Us OutTodd PletcherIrad Ortiz, Jr.15-1
4Grand Mo the FirstVictor Barboza, JrEmisael Jaramillo15-1
5Real MachoRohan CrichtonJavier Castellano20-1
6Le Dom BroEniel CorderoEdwin Gonzalez15-1
7CatalyticSaffie Joseph, Jr.Julien Leparoux20-1
8Seminole ChiefJack SistersonJoel Rosario30-1
9Conquest WarriorShug McGaugheyJose Ortiz3-1
10FiercenessTodd PletcherJohn Velazquez8-5
11Iris’s DreamCheryl WinebaughJorge Ruiz30-1

Expect the odds to change considerably as the race gets closer, up until post time. Morning lines are typically a good gauge of what the tote board will look like on race day, but it pays to watch the tote. You will be able to view current odds and Florida Derby live odds on race day on FanDuel TV and TVG.com.


Gulfstream Park

Gulfstream Park is the historic racetrack that hosts the Florida Derby each year. It is the only American racetrack that offers all three racing surfaces: conventional dirt, turf, and a synthetic Tapeta surface. The outer track is a dirt course measuring one and one-eighth miles around, complete with a chute that allows for classic one-turn dirt mile races. The next track inward is a one-mile and seventy-yard Tapeta track that opened in 2021. The inner course is a seven-furlong turf track.

Gulfstream Park has hosted many major races over the years, including the Breeders’ Cup in 1989, 1992, and 1999. In 2017, the race ran the rich Pegasus World Cup for the first time, which was at one time the world’s richest horse race. But the Florida Derby, run along the road to the Kentucky Derby, remains Gulfstream Park’s most established and famous race.

Florida Derby Prep Results

There are three local prep races for the Florida Derby. The first is the Mucho Macho Man Stakes in early January, which offers no Derby points but gives horses a class test and a chance to try the Gulfstream footing. The 10-point Holy Bull (G3) is next and typically happens during the last week of January. The Fountain of Youth (G2), a rich race for some of the best young horses in training, takes place in late February as the final prep for the prestigious Florida Derby. The Fountain of Youth offers 50 Road to the Kentucky Derby points to its winner, which virtually guarantees them a spot in the big race.

Otello won the 2024 Mucho Macho Man though he has struggled on the Kentucky Derby trail after that, finishing sixth in the Holy Bull and then ninth in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park. The Holy Bull went to Hades, who returns for his final prep in the Florida Derby along with third-place finisher and beaten favorite Fierceness. Fountain of Youth winner Dornoch does not return for the Florida Derby, though second-place Le Dom Bro, third-place Frankie’s Empire and fourth-place Real Macho all line up.

Florida Derby Contenders

Among the field of 11 in the 2024 Florida Derby, these are the leading contenders:

  • Bail Us Out: You can’t ever count Todd Pletcher out from the Florida Derby, given that he has won five of the last ten editions. Bail Us Out is the Pletcher “B”, but a few of Pletcher’s wins have come with these sneaky, late-blooming types. Though his maiden win came on Tapeta, he has enough distance breeding, dirt breeding, and tactical speed to be in the mix at a price.

    • Conquest Warrior: He has yet to face stakes company, but he has gotten attention since selling for $1 million as a yearling, and he is rounding into a horse who may have been worth the cash. He looked especially good last out when stretching out to win an allowance over the same course and distance as the Florida Derby. He has shown he can close over the Gulfstream dirt, and with some possibility that the pace gets hot, he could trip out nicely.

    • Fierceness: He was defeated as the heavy favorite in the Holy Bull, but last year’s juvenile champion had a bad start in that outing and could improve second off the lay for Todd Pletcher. His speed figures in his wins demolish what anyone else has shown so far, and he has enough speed to be a perfect fit for the Gulfstream course on a big day. If he gets away cleanly, the rest may be in trouble.

    • Grand Mo the First: His pedigree is replete with distance influence, and he finished only a neck beaten by Domestic product and No More Time in the Tampa Bay Derby. This son of Uncle Mo should enjoy the extra half furlong of the Florida Derby, and he has good enough tactical speed to work a trip. Also, with strong Florida connections in his corner, he may go off at a price with less familiar nationwide bettors playing the pool.

    • Hades: Undefeated in three starts, he made the grade when trying two turns and Kentucky Derby trail company for the first time in the Holy Bull. Though he drew inside of other speed, he handled the fence well in the Holy Bull, allaying concerns about that post. A horse who can do dirty work on the front end and keep going is always dangerous in Hallendale Beach, and Hades is such a horse.

    • Le Dom Bro: It would be difficult to see Le Dom Bro winning this race, as his only victory so far came in a maiden sprint. However, he has the speed to get a forward trip and he is often able to chase on for a piece of the pie. He comes third off the layoff and his pedigree suggests that he should be able to handle this extra bit of distance, meaning he should be able to track the pace and keep running on for a minor award.

Florida Derby Winners

Some of the most famous Florida Derby winners include the ones who went on to win the Kentucky Derby: Always Dreaming (2017), Nyquist (2016), Orb (2013), Big Brown (2008), Barbaro (2006), and Monarchos (2001). The list goes back even further, with names like Thunder Gulch, Unbridled, Snow Chief, and Swale. In 2019, Maximum Security won both the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby, but was ultimately disqualified in the latter for causing interference.

Many Florida Derby winners use the race as their final prep for the Run for the Roses. Aside from the Kentucky Derby, they have also gone on to win races such as the Travers (Tiz the Law), Belmont Stakes (Empire Maker), and the Met Mile (Holy Bull). Many become great sires as well. Scat Daddy sired Triple Crown winner Justify, while Quality Road is one of the most productive and expensive horses in the stud barn today.

Spectacular Bid is a famous Florida Derby winner, who went on to nearly win the Triple Crown but fell short in the Belmont Stakes. Honest Pleasure was 1-20 when he won the race, paying just ten cents for every $2 wagered on him.

As for Florida Derby connections, trainer Todd Pletcher leads all trainers with six Florida Derby wins, including in 2021 with Known Agenda. He trains Forte, the heavy favorite and the looming class in the 2023 Florida Derby. Jockey John Velazquez leads all riders with five wins, most recently in 2018 with Audible, who went on to finish third in the Kentucky Derby.

Post time for the Florida Derby will be 6:40 pm Eastern Daylight Time on Saturday, March 30. The race will be the 14th and final race on Gulfstream’s stakes-laden card. The race offers serious points toward the 2024 Kentucky Derby. The winner gets 100 points, with second earning 40, and third earning 20. The Kentucky Derby starting gate is made up of the highest point-earning horses, so every horse owner wants to win a race like this. In fact, the points awarded to the top two finishers have always been enough to qualify for the Run for the Roses!

Florida Derby Undercard

While all eyes will be on the winning horse in the Florida Derby, this is one of the biggest spring cards in horse racing. Gulfstream Park will host 10 stakes races on Florida Derby day! The $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) is a 100-point prep for the Kentucky Oaks, meaning several horses from that race will show up at Churchill Downs the day before the Derby.

Other graded races on the card include the $200,000 Pan American (G2) for older turf routers, the $150,000 Orchid (G3) for long-distance grass mares, and the $100,000 Ghostzapper (G3) for older dirt route horses. There are five other stakes on the card as well, making it an important day in a wide range of divisions.

This card offers ample opportunity for betting, so do your homework and keep an eye on the live odds. While the Florida Derby often goes to a favorite, many of the other winning horses may be longshot types that could generate quite a profit! The beauty of horse racing is that for every winning favorite, there are statistically two losing favorites, so you won’t want to miss this card or the key race, the Florida Derby.


Florida Derby FAQ

Q: When is the 2024 Florida Derby?

A: The race will be run on Saturday, March 30, at 6:48 pm EDT.

Q: Where is the Florida Derby?

A: It takes place at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.

Q: Which trainer has the most wins in the Florida Derby?

A: Todd Pletcher has won this race seven times, including six of the last ten years. He can win an eighth Florida Derby with either Fierceness or Bail Us Out.

Q: Who is the favorite for the Florida Derby?

A: Fierceness was named the 8-5 morning-line favorite for the Florida Derby. The champion juvenile was a troubled third in the Fountain of Youth, and given trainer Todd Pletcher’s record in the Florida Derby and that excuse, it will be no surprise for him to hold favoritism. However, watch for action on Conquest Warrior, the 3-1 morning-line second choice, who was a strong winner over this course and distance already.

Q: Who is the best Florida Derby jockey?

A: John Velazquez has ridden the winner five times. He goes for a sixth this year with Fierceness.