Who is going to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs?

Planet Sport writer
5 May 2023

Planet Sport have all you need to know about 'The Greatest Two Minutes In Sport', as the 149th Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 6.

The Kentucky Derby is arguably the greatest horse race in the USA, a blink and you'll miss it celebration of the best of American equine sport.

The Grade 1 race for three-year-olds, takes place over one mile and a quarter on the dirt, with the prize fund for the winner, from 19 runners, totalling $3million.

The Kentucky Derby should start at 18:57pm (ET) on Saturday May 6, which is 23:57 (BST), so it'll drift into the early hours of Sunday morning for a UK audience. The race will be live on Sky Sports Racing in the UK.

Forte, Practical Move, Lord Miles, Continuar and Skinner have been scratched from the race.

Kentucky Derby runners and riders

1. Hit Show

Jockey: Manuel Franco Trainer: Brad H Cox

He has won three times from 7f to 1m 1f. Beaten a short head by Lord Miles when second of 12 at 17-10fav on his latest outing in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct over 1m 1f last month.

Will need much more if he's to come out on top here.

2. Verifying

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione Trainer: Brad H Cox

Successful at 6f and 1m. Beaten a neck by Tapit Trice when second of 11 at 9/4 on his latest outing in the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland over 1m 1f last month.

A repeat of that performance would put him firmly in the picture.

3. Two Phil's

Jockey: Jareth Loveberry Trainer: Larry Rivelli

He has won four times from 6f to 1m 1f. A winner at 14/5 in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park over 1m 1f on his latest outing in March, beating Major Dude by 5l.

Will do well to win this.

4. Confidence Game

Jockey: James Graham Trainer: J Keith Desormeaux

He has won three times from 6f to 1m. A winner at 18/1 at Oaklawn Park over 1m on his latest outing in February, beating Red Route One by 1l.

Others look stronger.

5. Tapit Trice

Jockey: Luis Saez Trainer: Todd Pletcher

He has won four times from 1m to 1m 1f. Won on his latest outing when 13/8fav in the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland over 1m 1f last month, beating Verifying by a neck.

A leading contender.

6. Kingsbarns

Jockey: Jose L Ortiz Trainer: Todd Pletcher

He has won three times from 1m to 1m 1f. A winner at 9/2 in the Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds over 1m 1f on his latest outing in March, beating Disarm by 3 1/2l.

He remains capable of better and must be considered.

7. Reincarnate

Jockey: John R Velazquez Trainer: Tim Yakteen

Successful twice at 1m. Third of 10 behind Angel Of Empire beaten 5l at 33/10 on his latest outing in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby Stakes at Oaklawn Park over 1m 1f last month.

Has a bit to find.

8. Mage

Jockey: Javier Castellano Trainer: Gustavo Delgado

A winner at 7f. Beaten 1l by Forte when second of 12 at 9/2 on his latest outing in the Grade 1 Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa Stakes at Gulfstream over 1m 1f last month.

Place claims.

11. Disarm

Jockey: Joel Rosario Trainer: Steve Asmussen

A winner at 7f. Third of 10 behind First Mission beaten 5l at 17/5 on his latest outing in the Grade 3 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes at Keeneland over 1m last month.

He faces a stiff task in this company.

12. Jace's Road

Jockey: Florent Geroux Trainer: Brad H Cox

Successful at 6f and 1m. Third of 12 behind Kingsbarns beaten 6l at 6/1 on his latest outing in the Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds over 1m 1f in March.

Look elsewhere for the winner.

13. Sun Thunder

Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr Trainer: Kenneth McPeek

A winner at 1m. Finished 7l behind Tapit Trice when fourth of 11 at 13/1 on his latest outing in the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland over 1m 1f last month.

He is wearing blinkers for the first time, which will need to elicit further improvement.

14. Angel Of Empire

Jockey: Florent Geroux Trainer: Brad H Cox

He has won four times from 1m to 1m 1f. A winner at 9/2 in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby Stakes at Oaklawn Park over 1m 1f on his latest outing last month, beating King Russell by 4 1/2l.

Could land a blow.

16. Raise Cain

Jockey: Gerardo Corrales Trainer: Ben Colebrook

Successful at 7f and 1m. Finished 7l behind Tapit Trice when fifth of 11 at 7/1 on his latest outing in the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland over 1m 1f last month.

Has ground to make up with a few of these and is difficult to fancy.

17. Derma Sotogake

Jockey: Christophe-Patrice Lemaire Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi

He has won four times from 1m to 1m 1f. A winner at 9/2 in the Group 2 UAE Derby at Meydan over 1m 1f on his latest outing in March, beating Dura Erede by 6l.

Merits respect as he bids to give Japan a first victory in this historic contest.

18. Rocket Can

Jockey: Junior Alvarado Trainer: William Mott

Successful twice at 1m. Finished 5l behind Angel Of Empire when fourth of 10 at 13/5fav on his latest outing in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby Stakes at Oaklawn Park over 1m 1f last month.

He is wearing blinkers for the first time, but is held on previous form.

21. Cyclone Mischief

Jockey: TBC Trainer: Dale Romans

Successful twice at 1m. Third of 12 behind Forte beaten 3l at 13/1 on his latest outing in the Grade 1 Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa Stakes at Gulfstream over 1m 1f last month.

22. Mandarin Hero

Jockey: Kazushi Kimura Trainer: Terunobu Fujita

He has won four times from 6f to 1m. Beaten a short head by Practical Move when second of 8 at 8/1 on his latest outing in the Grade 1 RUNHAPPY Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita over 1m 1f last month.

23. King Russell

Jockey: Rafael Bejarano Trainer: Ronald Moquett

A winner at 1m. Beaten 4 1/2l by Angel Of Empire when second of 10 at 55/1 on his latest outing in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby Stakes at Oaklawn Park over 1m 1f last month.

Kentucky Derby verdict

Tapit Trice boasts solid credentials ahead of the Kentucky Derby. Drawn in stall five, he will need to break on terms which hasn't always been his strong suit.

Angel Of Empire bolted up in the Arkansas Derby last time out and is capable of another big run, while it would be unwise to rule out leading Japanese hope Derma Sotogake.

Two Phil's and Reincarnate might be worth considering too.