Kentucky Derby 2023 Horses: Full Lineup, Favorites and Sleepers in 149th Race
Now that the post draw is in the rear view, we have a better idea of how the 2023 Kentucky Derby field stacks up.
Forte is the early favorite. Trained by hall-of-famer Todd A. Pletcher, Forte has won both starts this year, the Fountain of Youth in March and the Curlin Florida Derby in April. If there's a horse capable of making a run at the Triple Crown this year, it's probably this one.
The Derby is, of course, the first jewel of the Triple Crown. The Preakness Stakes will follow on May 20, and the Belmont Stakes is scheduled for June 10.
Here's everything you need to know about the field for the 149th Run for the Roses.
149th Kentucky Derby
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When: Saturday, May 6
Where: Churchill Downs in Louisville
Post Time: 6:57 p.m. ET
TV Coverage: Noon-7:30 p.m. ET
TV and Live Stream: NBC, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports App and Peacock
2023 Kentucky Derby, Post Positions and Odds
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No. 1: Hit Show 30-1
No. 2: Verifying 15-1
No. 3: Two Phil's 12-1
No. 4: Confidence Game 20-1
No. 5: Tapit Trice 5-1
No. 6: Kingsbarns 12-1
No. 7: Reincarnate 50-1
No. 8: Mage 15-1
No. 9: Skinner 20-1
No. 10: Practical Move 10-1
No. 11: Disarm 30-1
No. 12: Jace's Road 50-1
No. 13: Sun Thunder 50-1
No. 14: Angel of Empire 8-1
No. 15: Forte 3-1
No. 16: Raise Cain 50-1
No. 17: Derma Sotogake 10-1
No. 18: Rocket Can 30-1
No. 19: Lord Miles 30-1
No. 20: Continuar 50-1
*Odds via KentuckyDerby.com
Favorites
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Forte 3-1
Forte is one of three Todd Pletcher-trained horses in the field, along with Tapit Trice and Kingsbarns, but is the odds-on midweek favorite.
This is largely because Forte hasn't lost a race in five Grade 1 or Grade II starts. In addition to the Fountain of Youth Stakes and the Florida Derby this year, Forte won the Hopeful Stakes, the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile and Claiborne Breeders' Futurity in 2022.
While jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. has never won the Kentucky Derby, he has won the Belmont twice—including last year's race with Mo Donegal. Like Pletcher's other two horses, Forte has a solid post position at the No. 15 gate.
Angel of Empire 8-1
The non-Pletcher horse among the favorites, Angel of Empire is trained by Brad H. Cox. While not as dominant as Forte heading into the Derby, Angel of Empire did win at the Arkansas Derby and the Risen Star Stakes, with a second-place finish at the Smarty Jones Stakes.
Like Forte, Angel of Empire has secured a sound starting spot.
"Angel of Empire, I think it's a good draw," Cox said, per Gary B. Graves of the Associated Press. "[Jockey] Flavien [Prat] will be able to break running and get a good spot mid-pack. That's what I'm envisioning."
Prat helped take home the 2019 Kentucky Derby title and the 2021 Preakness.
Tapit Trice 5-1
Tapit Trice is on a four-race winning streak, including victories at the Toyota Bluegrass Stakes and the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby. While facing slightly longer odds than Forte, Tapit Trice gives Pletcher a second strong contender in this field.
Running from the No. 5 gate could prove to be a big advantage, as 10 winners—the most in Derby history—have come from that position.
Tapit Trice will be jockeyed by Luis Saez, who won last year's Kentucky Oaks and the 2021 Belmont Stakes.
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Sleepers to Watch
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Kingsbarns 12-1
Pletcher's other horse, Kingsbarns, is seeing surprisingly long odds. The Kentucky-born bay colt is unbeaten in three races, including March's Louisiana Derby. Kingsbarns won that race from wire to wire and has the speed to close on any horse in this race. However, pacing and positioning will be important.
"Kingsbarns is going to have to judge how quick the pace is on where he wants to be," Pletcher said, per Jason Frakes of the Louisville Courier Journal.
Jockey Jose L. Ortiz is a seasoned rider with wins at the 2017 Belmont, the 2019 Kentucky Oaks and the 2022 Preakness Stakes.
Though not a true long shot, Kingsbarns feels severely overlooked heading into race weekend.
Derma Sotogake 10-1
History is working against Japanese horse Derma Sotogake. No Japanese horse has won the Derby, and in fact, Derma Sotogake and Continuar will be only the third and fourth Japan-bred horses to compete.
Derma Sotogake is also starting from the No. 17 gate, a position that has never produced a Derby-winner. Of course, trends, even bad ones, tend to eventually be broken.
Coming off victories at the UAB Derby and the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun, Derma Sotogake has a winning track record. If a Japanese horse is going to make history this weekend, Derma Sotogake will be the one to do it.
Two Phil's 12-1
A position at the No. 3 gate could be what's keeping Two Phil's as a long shot, since crowding near the rail can prevent inside horses from advancing.
However, there's a lot to like about the Larry Rivelli-trained colt. Two Phil's has finished no lower than third in his last four races and is coming off an impressive win at the Jeff Ruby Steaks.
According to Frakes, Two Phil's received a 101 Beyer Speed Figure at that event, the highest figure of any horse in this year's field.
It's worth noting that the Jeff Ruby is run at Turfway Park, which has a synthetic track. Still, the speed of Two Phil's shouldn't be underestimated going into Derby day.
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