LEXINGTON, Ky. — For the amateur Kentucky Derby bettor, horse color might be more important than pedigree, past performances or track conditions.

It’s that group the adage “always bet the gray” appeals to. For the 2024 Kentucky Derby field, the choice is easy if you’re planning to bet the gray, but there is risk involved.

Even if color is not your preferred betting rationale, there is no shortage of other unique storylines that might lead to a Derby rooting interest. Here is what you need to know about three of those horses.

The gray horse in the 2024 Kentucky Derby

No gray or roan horse has won the Derby since Giacomo in 2005. A year ago, the 2023 field tied the Derby record with five gray or roan horses but none finished better than fifth. Even 2021 Derby favorite Essential Quality needed a disqualification to become the most recent gray or roan horse to finish in the top three of the race.

But if gray horse enthusiasts win their bets this year, they should be in store for a nice payday. West Saratoga, the only gray horse in the field, was listed at 50-1 in the morning-line odds.

West Saratoga is 2-5-1 in 10 career starts and finished second in his most recent race, the Grade 2 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. West Saratoga has finished on the board in each of his three starts this year, but only three gray or roan horses other than Essential Quality have finished on the board since Giacomo’s win.

Of the first 149 Kentucky Derby champions, eight were gray or roan.

West Saratoga is likely to attract more interest as his trainer, Larry Demeritte, is set to be the first Black trainer in the Derby since 1989.

A rooting interest for baseball fans

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