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Catching Freedom jockey, trainer, odds and more to know about Kentucky Derby 2024 horse
By Jon Hoefling, USA TODAY,
14 days ago
Kentucky Derby contender Catching Freedom walks off the track on a brisk morning, April 20, 2024, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Matt Stone/The Courier Journal, Matt Stone/The Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
On the precipice of the 150th Run for the Roses , Churchill Downs is preparing for another historic event. Catching Freedom does not enter the race as the favorite. However, the Albaugh Family Stables colt is a popular pick among experts to upset the two favorites – Fierceness and Sierra Leone.
Not only has Catching Freedom won three of his five career races, but he has also never finished worse than fourth in a single race. Furthermore, Catching Freedom has increased its base speed score steadily in each race, rising from 83 Equibase Speed Score in October 2023 to 95 in March 2024. While 95 is not blazing speed, Catching Freedom's steady rise could put him in the upper 90's or low 100's when the Kentucky Derby finally rolls around. And that is dangerous for the rest of the field.
Here's everything to know about Catching Freedom ahead of this year's Kentucky Derby .
Catching Freedom: Trainer, Jockey, Owner and Pedigree
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables
Sire: Constitution
Dam: Catch My Drift
Bred: Kentucky
Catching Freedom record: Past performances and career earnings
Past performances :
Date
Track
Race
Finish
Speed
10/1/23
Churchill Downs
Maiden Special Weight
1
83
11/9/23
Churchill Downs
AlwOC
4
88
1/1/24
Oaklawn Park
2024 Smarty Jones
1
N/A
2/17/24
Fair Grounds
2024 Risen Star
3
91
3/23/24
Fair Grounds
2024 Louisiana Derby
1
95
Catching Freedom career races
Career Earnings : $877,350
Catching Freedom: Predictions, odds and analysis
Predictions :
Kaitlin Free : Catching Freedom to finish outside the top-5
Although Catching Freedom is a popular pick outside of the top-two Sierra Leone and Fierceness, he is clearly not everyone's cup of tea. Churchill Downs reporter Kaitlin Free predicts a sixth-place finish for Catching Freedom, behind other horses with far worse odds like Stronghold (20-1 odds).
Although Catching Freedom has not displayed 100+ speed as of yet, Hanson seems to believe that Catching Freedom's potential has yet to be reached. Against strong competition, Catching Freedom has shown an ability to compete with the best of the best even if it doesn't result in a win, like when Catching Freedom finished third behind Derby frontrunner Sierra Leone at the Risen Star in February.
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