2023 KENTUCKY DERBY CONTENDERS & ODDS
Affectionately known as the Run for the Roses and sitting proudly among the top horse races in the world, the Grade One Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown of horse racing.
The the 149th renewal of "fastest two minutes in sports" takes place on Saturday, May 6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville and below you will see information relating to each of the entries for 2023.
** KENTUCKY DERBY UPDATES - May 6**
# 15 Forte Kentucky Derby favorite has scratched after regulatory veterinarian concerns related to a mending foot bruise in his right front leg
MAY 4
#10 Practical Move will be scratched from Kentucky Derby due to an elevated temperature. # 21 Cyclone Mischief draws into field.
# 19 Lord Miles scratched from Kentucky Derby. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. suspended indefinitely by Churchill Downs Incorporated from competing at its tracks. Decision follows two highly-unusual sudden deaths of his horses. # 22 Mandarin Hero now in field.
# 20 Continuar will not run in the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi said "...he has not been able to reach the peak fitness required to take on a race as tough as the Kentucky Derby." # 23 King Russell will draw into the field.
FORTE 3-1 MORNING-LINE FAVORITE FOR 149th KENTUCKY DERBY
Trainer Todd Pletcher, who is seeking his third Derby win, has three of the top horses with the shortest 2023 Kentucky Derby odds. The first is the Florida Derby winner Forte, the morning-line favorite at 3-1, Tapit Trice, the Blue Grass Stakes winner at 5-1, and the undefeated Kingsbarns at 12-1. That gives Pletcher three of the top horses with the shortest 2023 Kentucky Derby odds as he seeks his third Derby win.
The Kentucky Derby, with live coverage provided by NBC starting at noon (Eastern), will go as the 12th race on Saturday's 14-race program that features eight stakes. Post time for the Derby is 6:57 with first post time Derby Day being 10:30 a.m.
The post position draw took place on Monday, May 1. Hit Show and Verifying, both trained by Brad Cox, got post 1 and 2. Cox will have four horses competing at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
Other contenders include 2023 Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Practical Move, this year's Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Angel of Empire, and 2023 UAE Derby (G2) winner Derma Sotogake.
2023 Kentucky Derby Field & Odds
Race 12 at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 6 - Post 6:57 PM
| Entry | Horse | ML Odds | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hit Show | 30-1 | Manuel Franco 126 Lbs |
Brad Cox |
| 2 | Verifying | 15-1 | Tyler Gaffalione 126 Lbs |
Brad Cox |
| 3 | Two Phil's | 12-1 | Jareth Loveberry 126 Lbs |
Larry Rivelli |
| 4 | Confidence Game | 20-1 | James Graham 126 Lbs |
J. Desormeaux |
| 5 | Tapit Trice | 5-1 | Luis Saez 126 Lbs |
Todd Pletcher |
| 6 | Kingsbarns | 12-1 | Jose Ortiz 126 Lbs |
Todd Pletcher |
| 7 | Reincarnate | 50-1 | John Velazquez 126 Lbs |
Tim Yakteen |
| 8 | Mage | 15-1 | Javier Castellano 126 Lbs |
Gustavo Delgado |
| 9 | Skinner | 20-1 | Juan Hernandez 126 Lbs |
John Shirreffs |
| 10 | ||||
| 11 | Disarm | 30-1 | Joel Rosario 126 Lbs |
Steven Asmussen |
| 12 | Jace's Road | 50-1 | Florent Geroux 126 Lbs |
Brad Cox |
| 13 | Sun Thunder | 50-1 | Brian Hernandez, Jr. 126 Lbs |
Kenneth McPeek |
| 14 | Angel of Empire | 8-1 | Flavien Prat 126 Lbs |
Brad Cox |
| 15 | ||||
| 16 | Raise Cain | 50-1 | Gerardo Corrales 126 Lbs |
Ben Colebrook |
| 17 | Derma Sotogake (JPN) | 10-1 | Christophe Lemaire 126 Lbs |
Hidetaka Otonashi |
| 18 | Rocket Can | 30-1 | Junior Alvarado 126 Lbs |
William Mott |
| 19 | ||||
| 20 | ||||
| 21 | Cyclone Mischief | 30-1 | Joel Rosario 126 Lbs |
Dale Romans |
| 22 | Mandarin Hero (JPN) | 20-1 | Kazushi Kimura 126 Lbs |
Terunobu Fujita |
| 23 | King Russell | 50-1 | Rafael Bejarano 126 Lbs |
Ron Moquett |
U.S. Legal Online Wagering
Irad Ortiz Jr., who is seeking his first Kentucky Derby victory, has the mount on Forte and will break from post position 15.
Pletcher will saddle two other starters Saturday: Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable's Tapit Trice and Spendthrift Farm's Kingsbarns.
Tapit Trice, the second choice on the morning line at 5-1, has won his past four starts with the most recent coming in the Blue Grass Stakes (GI) on April 8. Luis Saez has the mount and will break from post position five.The undefeated Kingsbarns (12-1) comes into the Run for the Roses off a front-running victory in the Louisiana Derby (GII). Jose Ortiz has the mount and will break from post position six.
Third choice on the morning line at 8-1 is Albaugh Family Stables' Angel of Empire. Angel of Empire comes into the Kentucky Derby off a 4 ¼-length victory in the Arkansas Derby. Prior to that, he won the Risen Star (GII).
Flavien Prat, who won the 2019 Derby on Country House, has the mount and will exit post position 14.
Angel of Empire will be one of four starters for trainer Brad Cox, who has a Kentucky Derby victory by Mandaloun in 2021 on his resume.
Cox's other entrants are Gary and Mary West's Hit Show (30-1), Jonathan Poulin, Westerberg Limited, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor's Verifying (15-1) and West Point Thoroughbreds and Albaugh's Jace's Road (50-1).
Hit Show, a winner of three of five starts and runner-up in the Wood Memorial (GII) in his most recent start, will be ridden by Manny Franco and break from post position one.
Verifying was runner-up to Tapit Trice in the Blue Grass Stakes in his most recent start. Tyler Gaffalione, who was aboard for the first time that day, retains the mount Saturday and will break from post two.
Jace's Road, third in the Louisiana Derby in his most recent start, will be ridden by Florent Geroux and break from post 12. Geroux was aboard Mandaloun in 2021.
Co-fourth choices on the line at 10-1 are Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr., Leslie Amestoy and Roger Beasley's Practical Move and Asanuma Hiroyuki's Derma Sotogake (JPN).
Trained by Tim Yakteen, Practical Move has won his past three starts, highlighted by a victory in the Santa Anita Derby (GI). Ramon Vazquez has the mount and will break from post 10.
Yakteen also will send out Reincarnate (50-1) for the partnership of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan.
Third in the Arkansas Derby (GI) and the Rebel (GII) in his past two starts, Reincarnate will be ridden by three-time Kentucky Derby winner John Velazquez and break from post seven. Velazquez's Derby victories have come aboard Authentic (2020), Always Dreaming (2017) and Animal Kingdom (2011).
Derma Sotogake comes to Kentucky off a 5 ½-length victory in the UAE Derby (GII). A winner of four of eight starts and earner of $1.1 million, Derma Sotogake will be ridden by Christophe Lemaire for trainer Hidetaka Otonashi from post 17.
Two other trainers will be seeking to add to their Kentucky Derby win totals: Bill Mott and John Shirreffs.
Mott, who won the Derby in 2019 with Country House, will send out Frank Fletcher Racing Operations' Rocket Can (30-1). Fourth in the Arkansas Derby in his most recent start, Rocket Can will be ridden by Junior Alvarado from post position 18.
Shirreffs, who saddled Giacomo to victory in 2005, is hopeful C R K Stable's Skinner (20-1). Third in the Santa Anita Derby in his most recent start, Skinner will be ridden by Juan Hernandez and break from post nine.
One other rider will be seeking another Derby victory: Joel Rosario. Rosario, who won the 2013 Derby on Orb, will ride Winchell Thoroughbreds' Disarm (30-1). Trained by Steve Asmussen, Disarm was third in the Lexington (GIII) in his most recent start. Disarm will start from post position 11.
2023 KENTUCKY DERBY HORSES & STATS
Hit Show (Odds 30/1) - PP 1
A stalker, Hit Show has raced within striking range in all three wins, including a sharp 5 1/2-length score in February's Withers (G3) at Aqueduct two starts back, and he'll seek to rebound after coming up a nose short as the favorite from just off the pace in the Wood Memorial (G2).
The gray colt appears built for the 1 1/4 miles of the Kentucky Derby, and it's possible to envision Hit Show being a factor with the right trip at Churchill Downs, but early positioning will be important. The grinding type probably doesn't want to be too far back, and Hit Show faces a class check after taking the New York route, failing to earn a triple-digit Brisnet Speed rating from five starts.
Verifying (Odds 15/1) - PP 2
Verifying exits a commendable second in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland, missing by a neck to Tapit Trice, and his speed adds to the appeal. The 2023 Kentucky Derby lacks confirmed early types, and with a favorable start, Verifying is a candidate to be setting pace under a leading rider at Churchill Downs.
Two Phil's (Odds 12/1) - PP 3
Verifying exits a commendable second in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland, missing by a neck to Tapit Trice, and his speed adds to the appeal. The 2023 Kentucky Derby lacks confirmed A midpack stalker, Two Phil's switched to Turfway Park's synthetic Tapeta track for his final prep, rolling to a 5 1/4-length win in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) in late March, registering a Kentucky Derby field-best 107 Brisnet Speed rating.
Two Phil's raced exclusively on dirt prior to the Jeff Ruby, winning or placing in six of his last seven starts. In fact, with eight career starts, he's the most experienced member in the main body of the Kentucky Derby field along with Derma Sotogake (Major Dude, on the AE list, also has eight starts).
Confidence Game (Odds 20/1) - PP 4
After leading all the way in his first two wins, Confidence Game showed his versatility winning the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park in late February, rating just off the pace in fifth along the backstretch before commencing his rally on the far turn. The dark bay colt looked good recording a one-length win on the sloppy track, earning the necessary points for a Kentucky Derby berth.
Tapit Trice (Odds 5/1) - PP 5
A powerful late runner, Tapit Trice will bring a four-race win streak into the Kentucky Derby, including stakes tallies in the Blue Grass (G1) and Tampa Bay Derby (G3). The long-striding gray colt has not broken sharply from the starting gate in those stakes appearances, waiting until the far turn and stretch to blow past rivals in the Tampa Bay Derby, but Tapit Trice progressed when stretching out to 1 1/8 miles in the Blue Grass, advancing closer on the first turn to stalk just behind the leaders along the backstretch.
The hard-fought neck win may toughen him up for the Kentucky Derby, and if he can get into position by the top of the stretch, Tapit Trice will have every chance to prove best.
Kingsbarns (Odds 12/1) - PP 6
Projected to show speed, Kingsbarns rates as a pacesetting candidate after leading from gate to wire in the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds. He enters the Kentucky Derby unbeaten from three starts, capturing his career debut at Gulfstream Park in mid-January and an allowance at Tampa Bay Downs four weeks later, and all three wins have come by comfortable margins.
Reincarnate (Odds 50/1) - PP 7
A front-running winner of January's Sham (G3) at Santa Anita, Reincarnate will look to show speed from the Kentucky Derby starting gate. Whether he can make the lead is a fair question; the gray colt was out-sprinted in the early stages of the Arkansas Derby (G1) before winding up third, but Reincarnate has the right jockey, as two of John Velazquez's three wins have come on the front end.
Mage (Odds 15/1) - PP 8
A wire-to-wire debut winner at Gulfstream Park in late January, the chestnut colt finished an even fourth after a tardy break in the Fountain of Youth (G2). He missed the start in the Florida Derby, breaking last of 12 runners, and his ability to get out of the gate in the Kentucky Derby will be a legitimate concern given his inexperience, but Mage remains a talented prospect who can't be completely dismissed if he gets the right trip.
Skinner (Odds 20/1) - PP 9
Rallying third-place finishes in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and San Felipe (G2) have stamped Skinner as a talented racehorse with the credentials to compete in the Kentucky Derby (G1). And if his pedigree is any indication, racing 1 1/4 miles at Churchill Downs may bring about a career-best performance from the bay colt.
Practical Move (Odds 10/1) - PP 10 SCRATCHED
The top-ranked contender out west, Practical Move will enter the Kentucky Derby on a three-race win streak, recording convincing triumphs in the San Felipe (G2) and Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) before courageously holding for a nose score in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), which has produced four of the last 11 Kentucky Derby winners.
The long-striding bay colt likes to race up close, within striking range of the leaders, and Practical Move has taken an inside route to his last three victories. He's never been worse than third in six career starts, and Practical Move and Forte are the only Kentucky Derby contestants to record three consecutive triple-digit Brisnet Speed ratings.
Disarm (Odds 30/1) - PP 11
Disarm has the look of an up-and-comer, a promising colt starting to figure things out following placings in his first two stakes appearances, but he will need to take a significant step forward to challenge in the Kentucky Derby.
Jace's Road (Odds 50/1) - PP 12
Jace's Road led all the way on slow fractions when romping in December's Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds, and the bay colt will attempt to race close to the pace in the Kentucky Derby. He did not advance upon the encouraging juvenile finale, opening 2023 with a well-beaten fifth in the Southwest (G3), and a weakening third after tracking a slow pace in the Louisiana Derby (G2).
His recent Brisnet numbers are discouraging. The stakes winner's tactical ability offers some hope for a minor award, but Jace's Road's form will make him one of the longest shots in the field.
Sun Thunder (Odds 50/1) - PP 13
Fourth in the Southwest (G3). Second in the Risen Star (G2). Fifth in the Louisiana Derby (G2). Fourth in the Blue Grass (G1). By picking up Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points in a quartet of prep races, Sun Thunder earned his ticket to the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Angel of Empire (Odds 8/1) - PP 14
An off-the-pace runner, Angel of Empire displayed a terrific turn of foot in the Arkansas Derby (G1), surging from sixth to reach the lead by the top of the stretch, and the up-and-coming colt established himself as a serious Kentucky Derby contender while notching his first triple-digit Brisnet Speed rating (101).
After a non-threatening second in his stakes debut, the Smarty Jones on New Year's Day, Angel of Empire progressed with a hard-fought win in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds in mid-February. The bay sophomore may have to negotiate traffic in a 20-horse Kentucky Derby field, but Angel of Empire appears to be peaking at the right time of the year and his late punch can't be dismissed.
Forte (Odds 3/1) - PP 15 SCRATCHED
The Kentucky Derby favorite, Forte will bring a five-race win streak to the Kentucky Derby. He reeled off three consecutive Grade 1 wins last year to earn champion juvenile male honors, and the dark bay colt opened his three-year-old campaign with a sharp 4 1/2-length score in the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park in early March. Classified as a stalker, Forte dug deep to win his final prep, the Florida Derby (G1) from well off the pace, and connections don't want to be so far back along the backstretch of the Kentucky Derby.
Forte, who is joined by Practical Move as the only contestants with three consecutive triple-digit Brisnet Speed ratings in advance of the Kentucky Derby, raced closer to the early leaders in previous wins, and he will take some beating with the right trip at Churchill Downs.
Raise Cain (Odds 50/1) - PP 16
Raise Cain stamped his Kentucky Derby ticket in March's Gotham (G3) over a one-turn mile, overcoming trouble to win going away by 7 1/2 lengths over a muddy Aqueduct track, but the late runner hasn't displayed the same gusto in a pair of two-turn starts, finishing a non-threatening second in December's Gun Runner S. and a well-beaten fifth in the Blue Grass (G1).
Raise Cain will face a tall challenge trying to close from off the pace in the Kentucky Derby.
Derma Sotogake (Odds 10/1) - PP 17
One of two Japanese horses in the Kentucky Derby field, Derma Sotogake established himself as a contender recording a fast win in the UAE Derby (G2), leading all the way to score by 5 1/2 lengths. The chestnut colt didn't break as smoothly in previous starts, recording back-to-back stakes wins in Japan before opening 2023 with a third in the Saudi Derby (G3), but Derma Sotogake appears to be coming to hand at the right time for connections.
Former UAE Derby contestants have fared poorly at Churchill Downs, but Derma Sotogake brings a different vibe to this year's Run for the Roses.
Rocket Can (Odds 30/1) - PP 18
A projected stalker, Rocket Can will seek to establish up-close positioning in the Kentucky Derby. The gray colt rallied from fifth to win the Holy Bull (G3), and Rocket Can raced closer to the pace when second to Forte in the Fountain of Youth (G2) in early March.
He must improve upon his last effort, failing to fire from off the pace when fourth as the favorite in the Arkansas Derby (G1), and early positioning appears key to Rocket Can's chances in the Kentucky Derby.
Lord Miles (Odds 30/1) - PP 19 SCRATCHED
Lord Miles will look to back up a game win in the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct. The stalker was never more than two lengths back at any point of call last time and outfinished a pair of fancied rivals to record a nose upset at 59-1. The bay colt was overlooked after a pair of unplaced efforts in his first two attempts at a Kentucky Derby qualifier, but his sixth in February's Holy Bull (G3) was perhaps forgivable due to first-time blinkers and he didn't experience the cleanest trip from the rail post finishing fifth in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) five weeks later.
Continuar (Odds 50/1) - PP 20 SCRATCHED
Cyclone Mischief (Odds 30/1) - PP 21
Can Cyclone Mischief become the third son of Into Mischief to win the Kentucky Derby (G1)? Third-place finishes behind champion Forte in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) suggest Cyclone Mischief has the talent to factor, and his pedigree doesn't disagree.
Mandarin Hero (Odds 20/1) - PP 22
King Russell (Odds 50/1) - PP 23
The 148th Preakness Stakes (G1), the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, will run at the legendary Pimlico Race Course on Saturday, May 20.
