The Kentucky Derby is the peak of horse racing in the United States, and this year’s event marks the 149th edition of this race. It is the first leg of the American Triple Crown and is also known as ‘the most exciting two minutes in sports.’ Every year, Louisville is filled with fans from around the country every first Saturday of May, and the Churchill Downs racetrack is the center of attraction.
The Churchill Downs racetrack is the host of this event, and it features a left-handed dirt surface track. It is a thoroughbred race type, and only three-year-old horses are qualified for this event. The track distance is 1¼ miles, and the race is completed in approximately two minutes which led fans to dub it the fastest two minutes in sports.
| ℹ️ Tournament: | 2023 Kentucky Derby, Tripple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing 1st Race |
| 🏟️ Venue: | Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, United States |
| 🗓️ Date: | Saturday, 6th May 2023 |
With the age qualification in the Kentucky Derby, there are usually no clear favorites, but Forte stands out according to the US horse racing bookies, and he is also the fan favorite to win the Kentucky Derby. Tapit Trice is next on the list, and he is a very powerful and late runner that could make things difficult for Forte. Angel of Empire, Derma Sotogake, and Practical Move complete the top five.
Sired by Violence, Forte has remarkably begun his career, and he has won all his completed races in his career, which puts him ahead of the other horses. Owned by the Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, Forte would be eyeing another win under the experienced Jockey Irad Ortiz.
Tapit Trice is also on a good streak heading into the Kentucky Derby this weekend, and he has won all four of his last races. He has a reputation for starting slow but finishing greatly, and this recovery speed was vital in his wins at the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and the Blue Grass (G1).
25+ sportsSuperb bonusesEasy to useVIP programLive gamesMany bonusesMany bonuses24/7 supportMobile appsLive bettingMany sportsFast payoutsGreat supportMobile appsLive bettingThe Kentucky Derby comes at a good time for Angel of Empire, and he has improved in his last few races. His performances in the Risen Star race at Fair Grounds in February was enough reminder of his qualities. Angel of Empire has gone 4-1-0 in his last six career races.
Practical Move could be another dark horse here, and although he doesn’t have a flashy record like Forte and Angel of Empire, the Tim Yakteen-trained horse has finished in the top three in all six career races. He has won his last three races, with his latest victory in the Santa Anita Derby.
Derma Sotogake makes the list of the favorites here due to his performances at the UAE Derby, but he’s going to face stiffer competition at the Kentucky Derby with very good horses ahead of him. Derma Sotogake has won two of his last three races, and he was ranked first at the Meydan (UAE).
The first-ever Kentucky Derby horse race was held in 1875, and it is one of the oldest horse races in the world. It began as a 1½ miles distance race, but two decades later, the lengths were adjusted to 1¼ miles. The Kentucky Derby horse race caps off the Kentucky Derby Festival, and it has total prize money of $3M, with the winner taking home $1.86M.
This race attracts a lot of crowds and punters, with millions of dollars being staked on this race yearly. The race is set for three-year-olds, so there aren’t any repeat winners, but Rich Strike is the current champion, winning the race last year despite being priced as a huge underdog.
The Churchill Downs racetrack is part of a horse racing complex in Louisville, Kentucky. It opened in 1875 and has a flat course type with one of the best facilities in the country. This track was named after the popular Samuel Churchill, owned and operated by Churchill Downs Incorporated. The Churchill Downs track has a 170,000 capacity for fans and hosts grade one and grade two races, but it is notable for the Kentucky Derby.
Rich Strike pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Kentucky Derby to win this race last year, clinching the top prize at a huge 80/1 under jockey Sonny Leon. Justify was the last horse to win all Triple Crown races, including the Kentucky Derby.
The 2023 Kentucky Derby is the first part of the American Triple Crown, and there is a wide range of exciting options from the bookmakers. These are some of the best picks from experts in this race.
It is hard to look past Forte in this race for two reasons; his formidable career record and his quick burst of pace, which is vital for this short-distance race. The American thoroughbred racehorse has finished first in his last five races, and he was dominant at the Gulfstream Park races winning two races in March and April.
Forte is used to conditions like this and is better suited to this race than the other horses. The horse racing odds on Forte to win has very good value, and he can continue his winning streak in Churchill Downs this weekend.
Angel of Empire is another horse with a good track record heading into this event. Angel of Empire has won his last two races since his sixth-place finish at the Kentucky Downs in Tennessee, with his latest triumph coming at Oaklawn Park last month. Holding a record of three race wins in four contests, Angel of Empire can get a respectable finish among his peers in the Kentucky Derby. Backing the Brad Cox-trained horse to rank top three is a very valuable option in this event.
Practical Move’s dominant show at the Santa Anita Derby makes him a good bet to make the top five in the Kentucky Derby. He won his last race last in 2022 with a victory at the Los Alamitos, and he doesn’t look like slowing down with his exploits at the San Anita Derby. Practical Move has never finished lower than a third-place in his career, and a top-five finish should come easy for him. A bet on Practical Move to rank anywhere from 1st to 5th is a safe bet on Kentucky Derby 2023.
The Kentucky Derby betting is popular among punters worldwide, being a unique horse race with specific requirements. There are great offers from horse racing bookmakers. Below you can find the best betting tips for you in the opening horse race of the Tripple Crown:
The American Triple Crown kicks off with the Kentucky Derby, and as usual, this race has a great market for punters. You can get the best offers from this competition by using our expert betting tips and predictions.
