The 149th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), the "Run for the Roses" featuring the best 3-year-olds of 2023, is on the first Saturday in May. Entries closed on Monday May 1 and a full field of 20 was draw with 3 also eligibles for this 1 1/4 mile classic beneath the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs.
As expected Forte is the 3-1 morning line favorite drawing post 15, off a five race win streak including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and Florida Derby (G1). Regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr. retains the mount for trainer Todd Pletcher. The second choice at 5-1 is Tapit Trice also trained by Pletcher, winner of four straight including the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Blue Grass Stakes (G1). Luis Saez will be in the irons again from post 5. Angel of Empire is the 8-1 third choice off wins in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1). Flavien Prat retains the mount for trainer Brad Cox out of post 14.
Below is a list of the entries with their post position, trainer, jockey, morning line odds, and dosage index. Free past performances will be available here and here (look for Angel of Empire). Each horse names links to a profile with lots of info and a photo. Entries for the entire Kentucky Derby card can be found on Equibase.
Update: Practical Move scratched on Thursday afternoon due to an elevated temperature letting in Cyclone Mischief from the also-eligibles. Later on Thursday, all Saffie Joseph Jr. horses were scratched at Churchill Downs for safety reasons, including Lord Miles in the Derby, allowing Mandarin Hero in the race. Thursday evening Continuar scratched by his trainer after he observed him today, so now King Russell is in as well. Friday morning, Skinner was also scratched due to an elevated temperature. Saturday morning, favorite Forte was scratched by trainer Todd Pletcher due to a bruised right front foot. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will now ride Cyclone Mischief instead of Joel Rosario.
Triple Crown quick links:
Mage a magical winner in the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) - Saturday at Churchill Downs, long shot Mage rallied from far back to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) by a length over Two Phil's and favorite Angel of Empire. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
2023 Kentucky Derby Field - Photos for each horse from the post parade plus where they finished and a link to their profile.
Kentucky Derby Undercard Stakes Results - There were 7 other graded stakes on the card with the Derby, including the Old Forester Turf Classic (G1) won by Up to the Mark, the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) won by Fluffy Socks, the Derby City Distaff (G1) won by Matareya, the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) won by Cody's Wish, the American Turf (G2) won by Webslinger, the Pat Day Mile (G3) won by General Jim, and the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) won by Nobals. Get the results, charts, and photos here. New!
Pretty Mischievous wins the 2023 Kentucky Oaks (G1) - Friday at Churchill Downs, longshot Pretty Mischievous held off Gambling Girl by a neck to win the Kentucky Oaks (G1) by a neck with The Alys Look third and favorite Wet Paint fourth. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Kentucky Oaks Undercard Stakes Results - There were 6 other stakes on the card today with the Oaks, including the La Troienne (G1) won by Played Hard, the Alysheba (G2) won by Smile Happy, the Eight Belles (G2) won by Red Carpet Ready, the Edgewood Stakes (G2) won by Heavenly Sunday, the Modesty (G3) won by Didia, and the Unbridled Sidney won by Caravel. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Thursday Kentucky Derby Photos - 20 Kentucky Derby horses and 10 Kentucky Oaks fillies from Thursday morning on the track or paddock schooling at Churchill Downs. Two loose horses this morning! Also, Practical Move scratched letting in Cyclone Mischief and later Lord Miles scratched letting in Mandarin Hero. This evening Continuar scratched so now King Russell is in as well. And Friday morning Skinner scratched so only 19 in the race.
Wednesday Kentucky Derby Photos - 15 Kentucky Derby horses and 14 Kentucky Oaks fillies from Wednesday morning on the track or paddock schooling at Churchill Downs, plus last year's Derby winner Rich Strike.
2023 Kentucky Derby Analysis - Our annual analysis of the top contenders to try and select a winner by matching each to the profile of a Kentucky Derby winner using many of the more popular angles and statistical trends. This year the field is very evenly matched but there is a narrow winner for top choice but it isn't the favorite.
Tuesday Kentucky Derby Photos - 18 Kentucky Derby horses and 13 Kentucky Oaks fillies from Tuesday morning on the track or paddock schooling at Churchill Downs. Also shots of the new paddock and clubhouse turn grandstand and Rich Strike.
2023 Kentucky Oaks Entries - On Monday the post positions were drawn for the 149th Longines Kentucky Oaks and a full field of 14 3-year-old fillies plus three also-eligibles made the entry box, with 5-2 morning line favorite Wet Paint drawing post 7. Get the horses, post positions, and free past performances here.
Kentucky Derby Winners and Auction Prices - Bigger may seem better, but in the case of Kentucky Derby horses who sold at auction, less is more. Here is a look at how (badly) high priced auction purchases have done in the Kentucky Derby and the auction prices for this year's top Derby horses.
2023 Road to the Kentucky Derby - All the point earning races on the Triple Crown Trail leading up to the Kentucky Derby with results and winners updated as they are run.
2023 Triple Crown Late Nominations - Sunland Derby (G3) winner Wild on Ice headlines the list of seven late Triple Crown nominations made eligible by a $6000 fee by the March 27 deadline.
Early Triple Crown Nominations - 312 horses where nominated by the early deadline of January 29 for the 2023 Triple Crown. Trainer Todd Pletcher nominated the most with 42 followed by Brad Cox with 26. Check out all the horses and free past performances from Equibase.
2023 Kentucky Derby And Oaks Security - New enhanced stricter rules with no onsite parking were enforced in 2018, and are in effect again this year. Be sure to read the rules if you are attending. There will still be magnetic wand searches of all patrons and many things are no longer allowed. Check here to make sure you don't bring anything they will confiscate.
Kentucky Derby Future Wager - This year there are 6 pools starting in November of 2022 plus a single pool for the Oaks.
Kentucky Derby Prep Races - What races should a horse prep in to win the Kentucky Derby? Some races may seem obvious, but have not produced a Derby winner in many years. Find out which races are the best preps here.
Kentucky Derby Traditions - Find out all about the big Derby Traditions: the rose garland, the trophy, the Twin Spires, mint juleps, singing "My Old Kentucy Home", fancy hats, celebrities and the annual Derby glasses.
Fillies in the Kentucky Derby - a look at the 39 fillies who have contested the Run for the Roses and how they did. So far there have been 3 wins, 2 seconds, and 5 thirds.
DRF Kentucky Derby Special - Lots of good info like past winners preps, contenders, past performances, and latest news.
Review: Kentucky Derby Greatest Moments - Commemorative DVD from Churchill Downs with video from 27 different runnings along with interviews, photos, and historical info. Definitely recommended for any racing fan!
Review: Churchill Downs - America's Most Historic Racetrack by Kimberly Gatto. An entertaining and informative account of the history of the track and it's most famous race, the Kentucky Derby, with lots of photos. Definitely recommended.
Get a head start on handicapping the Kentucky Derby here:
Review: Betting the Kentucky Derby - How to Wager and Win on America's Biggest Horse Race by Dean Keppler. Breaks the task of handicapping the Derby into easy to understand strategies that any bettor at any level of play can implement and gives strategies for wagering as well.
2023 Kentucky Derby Entries
