Who can win the 2023 Kentucky Derby?
Already the race is on to qualify for May’s US$3million-guaranteed 149th Kentucky Derby, which will take place at the Churchill Downs track.
A tiered point system in select races, introduced for the eighth year on the bounce, determines who gets to race in America’s showpiece that attracts European royalty and high-profile celebrities.
Just one horse from both Europe and Japan can join in the overall annual cap of only 20 horses.
Eyes are firmly focused on the big bucks that potential competitors can win by winning at least one of the 37 races in a series known as the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
These are run in Dubai, England, France, Ireland, Japan and North America with the top four finishers earning valuable points.
Those leading 18 horses from the US with the highest number of points get to earn a place in the starting gate for the highly-lucrative race on the first Saturday in May. The top European and Japanese horses are invited too.
Epicentre, the 2022 Kentucky Derby runner-up, suffered a career-ending injury in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic and retired in December. The son of Not This Time leads the race to qualify for the 6 May showpiece, but is obviously not going to be involved on the track.
Just because a favourite horse is beaten to maximum points in its last race then the weight of public opinion and the bookmakers will vary.
Waves of bets against horses who suddenly stop winning will see the odds shortened and are a great time to back it because of the potential winning payout.
For those who fancy a flutter, or are just interested in who could be taking the US$3m top prize next year, here’s some of the horses who should be in the running. Bookmakers, who also offer best PayPal casinos, will be constantly altering their odds before the big race.
Kentucky Derby 2023 Contenders
Blazing Sevens
Sired by Good Magic out of the Warrior’s Reward mare Trophy Girl.
He was trained by Chad Brown and has raced for Rodeo Creek Racing, LLC, and was bred in Kentucky, United States by Tracy Farmer.
Blazing Sevens has wins at Belmont at Aqueduct, Saratoga and a stakes triumph at the Champagne S. race.
Cave Rock
Sired by Arrogate out of the Bellamy Road mare Georgie’s Angel.
Bob Baffert-trained and bred by Anne and Ronnie Sheffer Racing LLC.
Cave Rock has won the Grade I American Pharoah Stakes and Del Mar Futurity as a two-year-old bred in Kentucky.
Forte
Sired by Violence out of the Blame mare Queen Caroline.
Trained by Todd Pletcher and raced for Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable.
Forte has been victorious in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Breeders’ Futurity and Hopeful races.
Giant Mischief
Sired by Into Mischief out of the Giant Oak mare Vertical Oak.
Trained by Brad Cox and has raced for Spendthrift Farm LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC and Steve Landers Racing LLC.
Giant Mischief has recorded wins at the Horseshoe Indianapolis and Keeneland in Lexington.
Gulfport
Sired by Uncle Mo out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Fame and Fortune.
Trained by Steven Asmussen and has raced for Heiligbrodt, L. William, Heiligbrodt, Corinne, Jackpot Farm, Whispering Oaks Farm LLC and Coolmore Stud.
Gulfport has raced and finished first at Belmont at Aqueduct, Churchill Downs and Saratoga plus captured a stakes win at the Bashford Manor race.
Mo Strike
Sired by Uncle Mo out of the Smart Strike mare Featherbed.
Trained by Brad H. Cox and has raced for Nasser Bin Omairah.
Clinched wins at Churchill Downs and Saratoga as well as a stakes victory at the Grade III Sanford meeting.
Mysterious Night (Ireland)
Sired by Dark Angel out of the Shamardal mare Mistrusting.
Trained by Charles Appleby and has raced for Godolphin, LLC.
Mysterious Night has triumphed at Woodbine and boasts a Grade I stakes success at the Summer Stakes.
Zandon
Sired by Upstart out of the Creative Cause mare Memories Prevail.
Trained by Chad Brown and has raced for Jeff Drown.
Zandon has recorded wins at Belmont Park and Keeneland with a stakes victory at the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes.