The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is set to take place on Saturday, May 6th, 2023, and the field is shaping up to be a thrilling race with a mix of favorites, longshots, and promising newcomers. The race, held at the iconic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, will see 20 horses vying for the prestigious garland of roses and the coveted title of “Kentucky Derby Winner.”
The morning-line favorite for this year's Run for the Roses is the number #15 horse, Forte, with odds of +345 and ridden by the talented Irad Ortiz Jr. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Forte has shown consistent form throughout the season, and many pundits believe that this promising colt has what it takes to finish first.
Another strong contender is the number #14 horse, Angel of Empire, with odds of +925. Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Flavien Prat, this horse has also had a solid season and will be looking to capitalize on its recent successes on the big stage.
Derma Sotogake, the number #17 horse, is another one to watch. With odds of +1190, the Japanese-trained horse has Christophe Lemaire in the saddle and boasts a strong racing pedigree. It will be interesting to see how this foreign contender fares in the competitive field.
Despite being longshots, some horses have the potential to surprise. Sun Thunder, Lord Miles, and Continuar, with odds of +6050 each, may be worth keeping an eye on as they could pull off an upset on race day.
As always, the Kentucky Derby is unpredictable, and with such a strong field, it is difficult to determine who will ultimately come out on top. However, one thing is for certain – this year's race is set to be an exhilarating spectacle that will capture the hearts and imaginations of horse racing enthusiasts around the world. So, mark your calendars for Saturday, May 6th, and prepare for the excitement and pageantry of the 149th Kentucky Derby.
Ron Raymond's 2023 Kentucky Derby Win/Place/Show Picks
- Win Horse: #5 – Tapit Trice (Luis Saez)
- Place Horse: #8 – Mage (Javier Castellano)
- Show Horse: #15 – Forte (Irad Ortiz Jr)
- Double Dutch Bet: Put $20 to Win & $20 to Place on the #8 Horse Mage. ($40 Total)
- Exacta Box: 5/8/15
2023 Kentucky Derby Post Position, Odds, Jockey, Trainer
Kentucky Derby Historical Facts
The Kentucky Derby is a storied horse racing event with a rich history. Here are some fast facts about its past:
- Inauguration: The first Kentucky Derby was held on May 17, 1875, making it the oldest continuously run horse race in the United States.
- Distance: The race's current distance of 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) was established in 1896. Prior to that, the race was run at 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers).
- Triple Crown: The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the prestigious Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in the United States, followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
- Winningest Jockey: Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack share the title of winningest Kentucky Derby jockeys, each with five wins to their names.
- Winningest Trainer: Ben A. Jones holds the record for the most Kentucky Derby wins by a trainer, with six victories between 1938 and 1952.
- Fastest Time: Secretariat set the record for the fastest Kentucky Derby in 1973, completing the race in 1:59.40. This record still stands today.
- Largest Margin of Victory: In 1946, Assault won the Kentucky Derby by an impressive eight lengths, the largest margin of victory in the race's history.
- First Female Jockey: Diane Crump made history in 1970 as the first female jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby, aboard a horse named Fathom.
- First African American Winner: Oliver Lewis, an African American jockey, won the inaugural Kentucky Derby in 1875 aboard Aristides. African American jockeys dominated the early years of the race, winning 15 of the first 28 runnings.
- Most Recent Triple Crown Winner: Justify, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Mike Smith, became the 13th Triple Crown winner in 2018 after winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
