The Kentucky Derby 2023 Contenders
Horse racing is one of the oldest continuously operating sports in countries all over the world. Every day, dozens of races are run in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and even Australia and New Zealand.
Some events, however, stand out above all the rest in terms of prestige, grandeur, and attraction. England has the Grand National, Australia has the Melbourne Cup, France has the Arc – in America, it’s the Kentucky Derby.
Started in 1875, the Derby is fast approaching a proud 150-year history at the famous Churchill Downs course in Louisville. Each year, 150,000 attendees and millions of viewers around the world watch this iconic 20-horse race with eager anticipation.
With a $3 million purse, great fortunes are won and lost during “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”. On May 6, 2023, the world will tune in once again for the 149th edition of this mesmerizing horse race.
You don’t have to be in Kentucky to enjoy the Derby, or to get involved in it. Reputable sportsbooks such as DK Horse offer Kentucky Derby odds to interested punters all over the world.
If you’re considering placing a wager this May, you’ll want to know who the biggest contenders are. This is your guide to the top 10 horses, jockeys, and owners who have qualified for the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
1 – Two Phil’s
Owner: Patricia’s Hope LLC & Phillip Sagan
Trainer: Larry Rivelli
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
Competing since July 2022, Two Phil’s has placed in six of seven races making this colt the outstanding Derby favorite. Four wins, including one at Churchill Downs in October 2022, have created high expectations for this big race debutant.
2 – Derma Sotogake
Owner: Hiroyuki Asanuma
Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi
Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
Yet to race in the U.S. this Japanese colt made an impressive sixth-place debut at Hanshin in June 2022. Since then, three wins and a third place from four races have turned heads all around the world.
3 – Kingsbarns
Owner: Spendthrift Farm LLC
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Flavien Prat
100 points from a single win at FairGrounds in March 2023 have catapulted this novice colt into the favorites. Beating a field of 12 by 3.5 lengths on debut has left many wondering just what Kingsbarns might achieve.
4 – Forte
Owner: Repole Stable & St Elias Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
The second Todd Pletcher-trained horse in the lineup arrives with an incredible form of four consecutive wins in six months. Most recently, this Kentucky-born contender took a 4.5-length victory under Irad Ortiz Jr. at Gulfstream Park on March 4.
5 – Practical Move
Owner: Pierre J Amestoy, Leslie A Amestoy & Roger K Beasley
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Jockey: Ramon Vazquez
Another Kentucky-born colt, Practical Move has never finished outside the top three in six races since his August 2022 debut. Racing under Ramon Vazquez since Dec 2022, this exciting horse has comfortably won both of his longest races so far.
6 – Confidence Game
Owner: Don’t Tell My Wife Stables
Trainer: J Keith Desormeaux
Jockey: James Graham
Home advantage may come into play with this colt who has run three of his six races at Churchill Downs. Confidence Game has enjoyed Kentucky wins under both Graham and Hernandez Jr plus a February 2023 victory at Oaklawn Park.
7 – Angel of Empire
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables LLC
Trainer: Brad H Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez
From three races, Angel of Empire has won two with victories so far at Fair Grounds and Indiana Grand. Perhaps the biggest doubt in his form is a disappointing sixth place from eight at Kentucky Downs in September 2022.
8 – Raise Cain
Owner: Andrew N Warren & Rania Warren
Trainer: Ben Colebrook
Jockey: Jose Lezcano
Eighth place in the Maiden Special Weight at Churchill Downs on September 17, 2022, might leave some punters feeling nervous. Many, however, have been reassured by two wins and a second place since, including a March 2023 victory at Aqueduct.
9 – Tapit Trice
Owner: Whisper Hill Farm Llc & Gainesway Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Luis Saez
A third colt trained by Todd Pletcher and this one is, so far, unbeaten with two victories from two races. Whether Luis Saez will take the saddle or stick with Angel of Empire could be key to this contender’s chances.
10 – Jace’s Road
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds LLC & Albaugh Family Stables LLC
Trainer: Brad H Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux
This Kentucky-born colt is easily the biggest outsider from the top ten contenders with a patchy record at Churchill Downs. Third and eighth have been his places on the Derby track but better results at Fair Grounds offer some hope.
Whichever contenders you choose to back, the 2023 Kentucky Derby is bound to be yet another incredibly exciting occasion. Anything can change between now and the winning post but, with this summary, you’re off to a great start.