Kentucky Derby Field 2023: Entries List, Betting Lines and Picks
The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is almost here. As the first jewel in the fabled Triple Crown, Saturday's race is arguably the biggest and most critical. After all, any team looking to yield a Triple Crown champion—something last done by Justify in 2018—will first have to win at Churchill Downs.
After Saturday, trainers and their teams will focus on the May 20 Preakness Stakes. The Belmont Stakes will follow on June 10.
A few of this year's teams know what it takes to claim victory in the Run for the Roses. Trainers Brad H. Cox, Bill Mott and Todd A. Pletcher have all won at the Derby before, though none have produced a Triple Crown winner.
Bob Baffert was the last trainer to do it, and he remains suspended after 2021 Derby winner Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone after the race.
Will we see a Triple Crown winner in 2023? It's not impossible, and the quest begins on Saturday evening. Here, you'll find a look at the early favorites, all the race info you need and a few picks.
The 149th Kentucky Derby
1 of 3
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
Post Positions and Odds
2 of 3
The Field
No. 1: Hit Show 35-1
No. 2: Verifying 23-1
No. 3: Two Phil's 10-1
No. 4: Confidence Game 18-1
No. 5: Tapit Trice 5-1
No. 6: Kingsbarns 14-1
No. 7: Reincarnate 16-1
No. 8: Mage 14-1
No. 9: Skinner 24-1
No. 10: Practical Move 13-1
No. 11: Disarm 25-1
No. 12: Jace's Road 32-1
No. 13: Sun Thunder 37-1
No. 14: Angel of Empire 6-1
No. 15: Forte 5-1
No. 16: Raise Cain 31-1
No. 17: Derma Sotogake 13-1
No. 18: Rocket Can 39-1
No. 19: Lord Miles 43-1
No. 20: Continuar 62-1
Alternates
Cyclone Mischief 91-1
Mandarin Hero 98-1
King Russell 82-1
*Odds via KentuckyDerby.com
Preview and Picks
3 of 3
Based on the early odds, betting on a Pletcher- or Cox-trained horse appears to be the smart move.
Two of Pletcher's horses—Forte and Tapit Trice—are among the three betting favorites. Forte comes in on a five-race winning streak that includes victories at the Fountain of Youth Stakes and the Florida Derby this year. Tapit Trice is on a four-race winning streak that includes victories at the Toyota Bluegrass Stakes and the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby.
Both of Pletcher's favorites drew favorable post positions at Nos. 5 and 15. The No. 5 gate has produced more Derby winners (10) than any other.
However, Cox's favorite, Angel of Empire, will be a factor. The Pennsylvania-bred colt will run just inside of Forte and also comes in on a hot streak with wins at the Arkansas Derby and the Risen Star 5 as well as a second-place finish at the Smarty Jones Stakes.
Steering Angel of Empire will be jockey Flavien Prat, who won the 2021 Preakness Stakes atop Rombauer and won the 2019 Kentucky Derby atop Country House.
The fight to finish first will likely come down to two of these three horses, and Pletcher and Cox know it.
"We’re blessed to be in this position with these three colts," Pletcher said, per John Clay of the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Pletcher and Cox are throwing other darts at the biggest prize, however. Pletcher also trained Kingsbarns, while Hit Show, Verifying and Jace's Road were all trained by Cox.
Hit Show and Verifying drew the two inside positions, a spot where horses can get caught behind the pack at the rail. However, Cox isn't discouraged.
"I like all four of my Colts," Cox said, per Clay.
If a different trainer is going to send a horse to the winner's circle, it might be Larry Rivelli. His horse, Two Phil's, will also break from the inside but has the speed to get in front before the initial turn.
According to Jason Frakes of the Louisville Courier Journal, Two Phil's received a 101 Beyer Speed Figure at the Jeff Ruby Steaks. That's the highest figure of any horse in this year's field.
Bettors looking to back a long shot should also consider Reincarnate. The Tim Yakteen-trained horse got off to a slow start at the Arkansas Derby and ultimately finished third but could fare better with jockey John R. Velazquez's guidance.
Velazquez has won the Kentucky Derby three times, most recently in 2020 atop Authentic.
Reincarnate has seen some late-week action with odds jumping from 50-1 to 16-1 on Thursday.
Win: Tapit Trice
Place: Angel of Empire
Show: Reincarnate
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
