The Kentucky Derby has been a prominent fixture in the American horse racing calendar since its inception in 1875. Held annually on the first Saturday of May at the Churchill Downs racetrack, it gathers the best three-year-old thoroughbreds worldwide to vie for the coveted garland of roses.
As we approach the 2023 Kentucky Derby, anticipation and excitement are building as racing enthusiasts and bettors eagerly await the announcement of the official field. With so much talent in the three-year-old crop this year, the competition promises to be fierce, and predicting the outcome is no easy feat.
Join us as we explore the contenders for the 2023 Kentucky Derby. We’ll give you an insider’s perspective on the potential winners.
Forte
Forte is a colt sired by Violence, a stallion known for producing horses with high speed and stamina. His jockey, Irad Ortiz Jr., is a talented rider who has won numerous prestigious racing awards, including the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey.
The young colt’s impressive success in the four prep races leading up to the 2023 Kentucky Derby has solidified its status as a top contender for the prestigious race. The horse’s remarkable achievements in the Breeders’ Futurity, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Fountain of Youth Stakes, and Florida Derby have earned it a total of 190 points, securing its position at the top of the leaderboard.
Forte, one of the top ky derby contenders, is currently listed at 3-1 odds. The colt’s strong performances in the prep races leading up to the Kentucky Derby make it a worthy favorite. With its impressive speed and endurance and a talented team of trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez supporting it, Forte has the potential to deliver an exciting race and potentially emerge victorious.
Practical Move
Practical Move is a talented bay colt sired by the renowned stallion Practical Joke. The young colt’s jockey is Ramon A. Vazquez, a multiple graded stakes winning jockey. Vazquez has ridden many successful horses throughout his career, and his skill and expertise have contributed to Practical Move’s impressive record.
The talented three-year-old colt has had a remarkable journey in the three prep races leading up to the 2023 Kentucky Derby. Trained by Tim Yakteen, Practical Move has shown tremendous potential and remarkable performances, securing three consecutive victories in the Los Alamitos Futurity G2, San Felipe Stakes G2, and Santa Anita Derby G1.
Practical Move’s impressive performances in the three prep races have earned him 160 qualifying points, ranking him at number two on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. His current odds are listed at 12-1.
While Practical Move’s odds may suggest that he is not the favorite to win, many factors can come into play during a horse race. The Kentucky Derby is known for its unpredictability and surprises, and many horses have won the race despite being considered underdogs.
Angel of Empire
Angel of Empire, a colt in his three-year-old season, was sired by Classic Empire and is out of Armony’s Angel. His jockey, Flavien Prats, is a talented rider with an excellent track record, having won numerous major races throughout his career. And he will be looking to guide Angel of Empire to victory in this year’s race.
Angel of Empire’s journey to the 2023 Kentucky Derby was successful, as the horse performed admirably in three key prep races leading up to the big event. The horse finished second in the Smarty Jones Stakes and won the Risen Star Stakes and the Arkansas Derby, earning 154 points and securing a spot near the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
The young colt is currently listed at 38-1. While some may have been discouraged by these long odds, Angel of Empire’s connections remained confident in their horse. They believed that his impressive showings in the prep races had prepared him well for the challenges of the Kentucky Derby and that he had the talent and determination to win, even against the toughest competition.
Tapit Trice
Tapit Trice, a three-year-old colt, is the progeny of Tapit and the mare Danzatrice. He is under the ownership of West Point Thoroughbreds and is trained by Todd Pletcher.
Luis Saez is the young colt’s jockey. He’s a successful jockey with multiple Grade 1 victories to his name. In the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby, Saez has been working with Tapit Trice to ensure the best possible performance on race day.
Tapit Trice has been making waves in the horse racing world with impressive performances in two prep races leading up to the highly anticipated 2023 Kentucky Derby. The horse’s success in the South Tampa Bay Derby and the Blue Grass Stakes has earned him 150 points and placed him at number four on the leaderboard.
At 8-1 odds, Tapit Trice is considered a strong contender for the Kentucky Derby but not necessarily the favorite. The horse’s odds reflect that he has shown great potential in his prep races but will face stiff competition from a field of talented horses.
Takeaway
The Kentucky Derby promises to be thrilling, with strong contenders vying for the top spot. Each of these horses has earned their place in the race, and any one of them could take the title. It will be fascinating to see how the race unfolds and which of these five contenders emerges as the ultimate champion.