Kentucky Derby 2023 Odds: Latest Betting Lines and Predictions

An early favorite to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby has emerged. But a lot can change between now and Saturday, when the 149th running of the race takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

Forte is the front-runner after winning six of his first seven career races, including the Florida Derby on April 1. The colt is trained by Todd Pletcher, who is a two-time Kentucky Derby winner (2010 with Super Saver and 2017 with Always Dreaming).

The betting lines are sure to shift throughout the week, especially considering the 20-horse field won't be set until the post position draw on Monday.

Here's a look at the early betting lines for this year's Derby, along with more about the 2023 edition of the race.

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Early Betting Lines

Forte 11-4

Tapit Trice 7-1

Angel of Empire 7-1

Derma Sotogake 9-1

Practical Move 9-1

Kingsbarns 11-1

Verifying 14-1

Extra Anejo 20-1

Mage 20-1

Mandarin Hero 20-1

Hit Show 25-1

Newgate 25-1

Skinner 25-1

Two Phil's 25-1

Confidence Game 33-1

Lord Miles 33-1

Shadow Dragon 33-1

Disarm 40-1

Instant Coffee 40-1

Major Dude 40-1

Blazing Sevens 50-1

Continuar 50-1

Cyclone Mischief 50-1

King Russell 50-1

Raise Cain 50-1

Reincarnate 50-1

Rocket Can 50-1

Scoobie Quando 50-1

Sun Thunder 50-1

Jaces Road 66-1

Wild On Ice 66-1

Via Oddschecker

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Preview, Predictions

Forte isn't the only horse in the projected Kentucky Derby field who is trained by Pletcher. In fact, he's likely to have three of the top colts in the race, any of which could emerge as the winner.

In addition to Forte (11-4), Tapit Trice (7-1) and Kingsbarns (11-1) have also been guided by Pletcher. Each of the three has impressive accolades, too.

Forte has won his past five races, including the Fountain of Youth Stakes and Florida Derby this year. His lone non-victory in seven career events was a fourth-place finish in the Sanford Stakes last July.

Tapit Trice owns four wins and a third-place finish in his five-race career. He's won four straight events, including the Tampa Bay Derby on March 11 and the Blue Grass Stakes on April 8.

Kingsbarns is undefeated, having won each of his three career races, all this year. His most recent victory came at the Louisiana Derby on March 25.

While any of the three Pletcher-trained colts could win the Kentucky Derby, Forte is the favorite to do so. It helps that the colt will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., an experienced jockey who is a two-time Belmont Stakes winner but is still in search of his first Derby victory.

"He does everything I ask him to do," Ortiz said of Forte, per Jason Frakes of the Louisville Courier Journal. "That's what gives you confidence about a horse. He gives you that confidence he's going to be there any time you ask. … Lovely horse. When you get on him, you don't want to get off. He's a class dude."

If a horse not trained by Pletcher is to win the Run for the Roses, it could be Angel of Empire. The colt is trained by Brad Cox, who won the Derby with Mandaloun in 2021.

Angel of Empire has four wins in six career races, emerging victorious in each of his two most recent events. He won the Risen Star Stakes in February and the Arkansas Derby in April.

However, the prediction here is that Pletcher will notch his third Kentucky Derby win, but it could be any of his three horses that get him to the winner's circle.

Forte has been so impressive that he has to be the pick at this point. Tapit Trice and Kingsbarns should make things interesting, though.

Predictions: Forte wins and two Pletcher-trained horses finish in top three