The Haiku Handicapper Presented By FanDuel Racing: 2024 Kentucky Derby

Time to analyze the 2024 Kentucky Derby field, in post position order, in the form of Haiku; a Japanese poem of 17 syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five.

To read previous editions of The Haiku Handicapper, click here.

#1 - Dornoch
Mage's little bro
Struggled for fourth at Keeneland
Hiccup or a halt?

#2 - Sierra Leone
Looks like a sports car
With a lousy parking spot
Getting Ice Box vibes

#3 - Mystik Dan
The field's best mudder
50 percent chance of rain
He'd need a deluge

#4 - Catching Freedom
Parking-lot closer
Might need a hot pace meltdown
For a Mage-like trip

#5 - Catalytic
Carried on nicely
In a drubbing by Fierceness
Wins come this summer

#6 - Just Steel
Gave Muth a good chase
His best could hang with this group
Toss at your own risk

#7 - Honor Marie
Couldn't catch "Freedom"
With a head start at Fair Grounds
Looks a rung below

#8 - Just a Touch
In another year
He might have won the Blue Grass
Might need seasoning

#9 - Encino
SCRATCHED

#10 - T O Password
Auto-qualified
A Japanese horse will win
Someday, but not him

#11 - Forever Young
World domination
Tests generational trends
One must be toppled

#12 - Track Phantom
A pace dictator
Has habit of getting caught
Done by the turn home

#13 - West Saratoga
Often outruns odds
Has a win at Churchill Downs
Still a Grade 3 horse

#14 - Endlessly
Was out, now back in
Turn of foot should help him late
If he takes to dirt

#15 - Domestic Product
Blossoming at three
But not sure he's all that fast
Wait for Peter Pan

#16 - Grand Mo the First
On a streak of thirds
None of them that impressive
Lacks redeeming traits

#17 - Fierceness
The highest ceiling
Folds under adversity
His break makes the race

#18 - Stronghold
Can't deny his guts
If he's hiding one more gear
He'll be a tough out

#19 - Resilience
Steady progression
If he's got one more level
He could be value

#20 - Society Man
Shock Wood runner-up
A finish in the top half
Would be a triumph

#21AE - Epic Ride
Solid dirt debut
Eight furlongs might be his wall
Not a fan today

#22AE - Mugatu
Connections were thrilled
To run fifth in the Blue Grass
Enjoy the box seats

Prediction
Fierceness gets the trip
Owner swears on live TV
Then eleven, two