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Blake Schuster

Kentucky Derby 2024: Updated post position, odds as Epic Ride replaces Encino

With a few days to go until the 150th Kentucky Derby, the Run for the Roses officially has its first big change.

The No. 9 horse, Encino, has been scratched and Epic Ride will take his spot, sliding into the No. 20 gate with 50-1 morning line odds.

According to Daily Racing Form, the Brad Cox-trained Encino is dealing with a soft tissue strain in his right front leg. Cox won the Lexington Stakes with Encino and was hoping the colt could help nab a second Kentucky Derby title after winning with Mandaloun. But that victory probably tasted bittersweet coming after Medina Spirit was later disqualified despite crossing the finish line first.

“Obviously, the timing of it is not good, but we’ll be fine,” Cox told DRF. “I think it’s something we can back off, give him some time, and have a fresh horse in 30 days.”

Cox still has two more entrants in the Derby with Catching Freedom and Just A Touch.

Here’s an updated look at the post positions and odds.

1. Dornoch

Kentucky Derby hopeful Dornoch looks around the stable area while being bathed on the backside at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 25, 2024

Morning Line Odds: 20-1

Trainer: Danny Gargan

Jockey: Luis Saez

Owner(s): West Paces Racing LLC, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding LLC, Two Eight Racing LLC & Pine Racing Stables

Key Results: 4th Place 2024 Blue Grass Stakes, 1st Place 2024 Fountain of Youth, 1st Place 2023 Remsen

2. Sierra Leone

Kentucky Derby hopeful Sierra Leone gallops in the morning at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 23, 2024

Morning Line Odds: 3-1

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Tyler Gafflione

Owner(s): Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B., Smith, Derrick, Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing, LLC and Brant, Peter M.

Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Blue Grass Stakes, 1st Place 2024 Risen Star, 2nd Place 2023 Remsen

3. Mystik Dan

Kentucky Derby hopeful, Mystik Dan, puts in a workout withe a stable mate on the at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 20, 2024

Morning Line Odds: 20-1

Trainer: Kenny McPeek

Jockey: Brian Hernandez, Jr.

Owner(s): Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing LLC & Daniel Hamby III

Key Results: 3rd Place 2024 Arkansas Derby, 1st Place 2024 Southwest Stakes, 5th Place 2024 Smarty Jones

4. Catching Freedom

Kentucky Derby hopeful Catching Freedom gallops in the morning at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 23, 2024

Morning Line Odds: 8-1

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Owner(s): Albaugh Family Stables LLC

Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Louisiana Derby, 3rd Place 2024 Risen Star, 1st Place 2024 Smarty Jones

5. Catalytic

Kentucky Derby hopeful Catalytic takes to the track in the morning at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 23, 2024

Morning Line Odds: 30-1

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Owner(s): Tami Bobo, Julie Davies & George G. Isaacs

Key Results: 2nd Place 2024 Florida Derby

6. Just Steel

Kentucky Derby contender Just Steel on the track for a workout Thursday morning at Churchill Downs April 25, 2024 in Louisville, Ky. Trainer for Just Steel is D. Wayne Lukas. It’s Lukas’ first Derby since 2018. He’s won four Kentucky Derbys, six Preakness Stakes and four Belmont Stakes.

Morning Line Odds: 20-1

Trainer: Wayne Lukas

Jockey: Keith Asmussen

Owner(s): BC Stables LLC

Key Results: 2nd Place 2024 Arkansas Derby, 1st Place 2024 Smarty Jones, 2nd Place 2024 Southwest Stakes

7. Honor Marie

Kentucky Derby contender Honor Marie gallops with jockey Ben Curtis at Churchill Downs April 25, 2024 in Louisville, Ky. Louisville native Whit Beckman is the trainer.

Morning Line Odds: 20-1

Trainer: Whit Beckman

Jockey: Ben Curtis

Owner(s): Ribble Farms LLC

Key Results: 2nd Place 2024 Louisiana Derby, 5th Place 2024 Risen Star, 1st Place 2023 Kentucky Jockey Club

8. Just A Touch

Just A Touch was just a touch frisky during bath time outside Trainer Brad Cox’s barn on Saturday morning at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. April 20, 2024.

Morning Line Odds: 10-1

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: TBD

Owner(s): Qatar Racing (Sheikh Fahad Al Thani), Resolute Racing & Marc Detampel

Key Results: 2nd Place 2024 Blue Grass Stakes, 2nd Place 2024 Gotham

9. T O Password (JPN)

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 06: Jockey Kazushi Kimura walks Mandarin Hero to the starting gate before the start of the 149th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 06, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Morning Line Odds: 30-1

Trainer: Daisuke Takayanagi

Jockey: Kimura Kazushi

Owner(s): Tomoya Ozasa

Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Fukuryu Stakes, 1st Place 2024 Newcomer

10. Forever Young (JPN)

Kentucky Derby hopeful Forever Young gallops on the track at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 22, 2024

Morning Line Odds: 10-1

Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi

Jockey: Ryusei Sakai

Owner(s): Susumu Fujita

Key Results: 1st Place 2024 UAE Derby, 1st Place 2024 Saudi Derby, 1st Place 2023 Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun

11. Track Phantom

Kentucky Derby hopeful Track Phantom gallops on the track during a morning workout at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 25, 2024

Morning Line Odds: 20-1

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Owner(s): L and N Racing LLC, Brewster, Clark O., Caroom, Jerry and Breeze Easy, LLC

Key Results: 4th Place 2024 Louisiana Derby, 2nd Place 2024 Risen Star, 1st Place 2024 Lecomte

12. West Saratoga

Kentucky Derby hopeful West Saratoga looks around at the crowd of spectators while being bathed on the backside of Churchill Downs. Pat McDonogh, Special to the Courier April 27, 2024

Morning Line Odds: 50-1

Trainer:  Larry Demeritte

Jockey: Jesus Castanon

Owner(s): Harry L. Veruchi

Key Results: 2nd Place 2024 Jeff Ruby Steaks, 3rd Place 2024 Sam F. Davis, 2nd Place 2024 Pasco

13. Endlessly

Kentucky Derby contender Endlessly trains early before daybreak Thursday morning at Churchill Downs April 25, 2024 in Louisville, Ky. Trainer is Michael McCarthy.

Morning Line Odds: 30-1

Trainer: Michael McCarthy

Jockey: Umberto Rispoli

Owner(s): Amerman Racing LLC

Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Jeff Ruby Steaks, 1st Place 2024 El Camino Real Derby, 1st Place 2023 Zuma Beach

14. Domestic Product

Kentucky Derby hopeful Domestic Product gallops in the morning at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 23, 2024

Morning Line Odds: 30-1

Trainer: Chad Brown

Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.

Owner(s): Klaravich Stables Inc.

Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Tampa Bay Derby, 2nd Place 2024 Holy Bull, 7th Place 2023 Remsen

15. Grand Mo The First

LOUISVILLE-MAY 3: The field explodes out of the starting gate during the 128th Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2002 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Morning Line Odds: 50-1

Trainer: Victor Barboza Jr.

Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo

Owner(s): Granpollo Stables LLC

Key Results: 3rd Place 2024 Florida Derby, 3rd Place 2024 Tampa Bay Derby

16. Fierceness

Kentucky Derby hopeful Fierceness appears ready for a nap during a morning at at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 23, 2024

Morning Line Odds: 5-2

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

Owner(s): Repole Stables, Inc.

Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Florida Derby, 3rd Place 2024 Holy Bull, 1st Place 2023 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

17. Stronghold

Jockey Joel Rosario and Stronghold (5) cross the finish line to win the Sunland Park Derby at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, in Sunland Park, New Mexico, Sunday, February 18, 2024.

Morning Line Odds: 20-1

Trainer: Phil D’Amato

Jockey: Antonio Fresu

Owner(s): Eric M. Waller & Sharon Waller

Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Santa Anita Derby, 1st Place 2024 Sunland Park Derby, 2nd Place 2023 Los Alamitos Futurity

18. Resilience

Kentucky Derby hopeful Resilience looks around while being bathed at Bill Mott’s stable on the backside of Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 20, 2024

Morning Line Odds: 20-1

Trainer: Bill Mott

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Owner(s): Emily Bushnell & Ric Waldman

Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Wood Memorial, 4th Place 2024 Risen Star

19. Society Man

Kentucky Derby hopefuls Society Man, left, and Dornoch, right, get in a final workout one week before the race at Churchill Downs. The horses are trained by Danny Garage. Pat McDonogh, Special to the Courier April 27, 2024

Morning Line Odds: 50-1

Trainer: Danny Gargan

Jockey: Frankie Dettori

Owner(s): Reeves Thoroughbred Racing; West Paces Racing; GMP Stables; and Carl & Yurie Pascarella

Key Results: 2nd Place 2024 Wood Memorial

20. Epic Ride

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – APRIL 28: Epic Ride runs on the track during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 28, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Morning Line Odds: 50-1

Trainer: John Ennis

Jockey: Adam Beschizza

Owner(s): Welch Racing LLC

Key Results: 3rd Place 2024 Blue Grass Stakes, 2nd Place 2024 John Battaglia Memorial, 1st Place 2024 Leonatus Stakes

SCRATCHED: Encino

Kentucky Derby hopeful, Encino, hits the track for a morning jog at Churchill Downs. Special to the Courier Journal by Pat McDonogh. April 20, 2024

Morning Line Odds: 20-1

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: TBD

Owner(s): Godolphin LLC

Key Results: 1st Place 2024 Lexington, 1st Place 2024 John Battaglia Memorial

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