One of the country's most storied sporting events will take place on Saturday when the starting gate opens in the 2024 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Often described as the "most exciting two minutes in sports," the Kentucky Derby has been run every year since the inaugural race in 1875. Florida Derby winner Fierceness is the 5-2 favorite in the 2024 Kentucky Derby odds and will run from the No. 17 post, which has never produced a Derby winner. Blue Grass Stakes champ Sierra Leone is not far behind at 3-1. Encino scratched on Tuesday, allowing Epic Ride to enter the 2024 Kentucky Derby field and run from the outside gate. The last Triple Crown winner was Justify in 2018. Post time is set for 6:57 p.m. ET.

With the Kentucky Derby offering arguably the best betting opportunity of any single sporting event of the year, you'll want to see what racing insider and Beyer Speed Figure maker Bob Weir has to say before making any Kentucky Derby picks. Join SportsLine here to get his full breakdown!

A member of the Beyer Speed Figure-making team since 2017, Weir is a two-time qualifier for the prestigious National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas. He has produced multiple five-figure days at the track over the years, including a $60,000 Pick 6 at Del Mar in 2014 and an $18,000 Pick 5 at Tampa Bay Downs in early April!

In April of last year, he hit a Pick 4 at Gulfstream Park for $641, the exacta in the Florida Derby, a Pick 5 at Keeneland and the exacta in the Lexington Stakes. He smashed the trifecta in the Belmont Stakes for $532.96, and later in June, he crushed a Pick 4 at Belmont for $555. Those were just some of his scores for SportsLine from 2023. Join SportsLine here to see what he's picking for the Kentucky Derby!

For Saturday, Weir has handicapped the 2024 Kentucky Derby field, made his picks and constructed his bets.

One surprise: Weir is fading Fierceness, even though he is the 5-2 favorite and just won the Florida Derby by 13½ lengths! Another curveball: He is high on Japanese invader Forever Young, even though he is a 10-1 longshot! "He's versatile and might be able to lay closer than some expect in this spot," Weir told SportsLine. Weir is using Forever Young prominently in his 2024 Kentucky Derby betting strategy.

Moreover, Weir is high on a BIG double-digit longshot who "could be ready for his best." Weir is including this SURPRISING horse in his 2024 Kentucky Derby bets, and so should you. You ABSOLUTELY need to see his picks before locking in any of your own.

Who wins the Kentucky Derby? Which SHOCKING double-digit longshot is a must-back? And how has Weir constructed his wagers? ... Join SportsLine right now to get the top 2024 Kentucky Derby picks, all from a top racing insider and member of the Beyer Speed Figure-making team who has had multiple five-figure days at the track and just cashed an $18,000 payday!