2023 Kentucky Derby: Probable Contenders

If you are starting to plan for your 2023 Kentucky Derby betting, knowing who will likely run on the Churchill Downs racetrack will help you create a strategy. Although we are still a few derby prep races away from the Kentucky Derby, some contenders have already secured their spots.

Check out the probable contenders below and see whether they made it to your list of possible winners.

Two Phil’s

Two Phil’s is the highest Road to the Kentucky Derby point earner. He garnered 123 points throughout the derby prep race. Larry Rivelli trains this 3-year-old colt and has quite a long list of races before him. He started his racing career in mid-2020 and has experienced much in the racetrack.

Derma Sotogake (JPN)

The next probable contender for the 2023 Kentucky Derby is Derma Sotogake. He is the winner of the UAE Derby, which earned him the second spot on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 100 points.

Hidetake Otonashi trained him and was also the winner of the Zennippon Nisai Yushun last December 14.

Kingsbarns

Third on the list are Kingsbarns, who landed in third place on the leaderboard with 100 points, tied with Derma Sotogake. Multi-award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher trains Kingsbarns. He is also the offspring of sire Uncle Mo, a known champion of his time.

Forte

Another Todd Pletcher thoroughbred placed fourth on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 90 points.

Looking back to his recent performance in the Florida Derby, Forte is indeed a one-of-a-kind contender that bettors must watch out for this upcoming Kentucky Derby race as the heavy favourite. With that said, his points on the leaderboard will likely improve in the coming days.

Practical Move

Fifth comes Practical Move, a 3-year-old colt from Tim Yakteen’s barn. He currently has

60 points and can improve if he wins the Santa Anita Derby this coming April 8. Looking back to his past performances, Practical Move has decent wins. He didn’t fall below third, and his jockey Ramon Vasquez ensured he performed well in each race.

Rocket Can

Rocket Can ties with Practical Move with 60 points and is in sixth place on the leaderboard. He is trained by William Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado. Rocket Can entered the Arkansas Derby and finished the race in 4th place.

Confidence Game

Confidence Game is on the 7th spot on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, holding 57 points. This 3-year-old colt is under the guidance of J. Desormeaux and is ridden by James Graham.

Experience-wise, Confidence Game is among the probable contenders of the Kentucky Derby with a long list of race experiences.

Angel of Empire

As of writing, Angel of Empire is still in 8th place on the leaderboard with 54 points. However, this is subject to change after the 3-year-old colt of Brad Cox won the Arkansas Derby last Saturday.

With that win, he earned 100 points making him the highest earner of the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Raise Cain

On the 9th best point earner of the derby prep race leaderboard is Raise Cain. His Trainer, Ben Colebrook, doesn’t plan to enter Raise Cain toe derby prep races leading to the Kentucky Derby on May 6. His team is now satisfied with the 54 points Raise Cain acquired from his Road to the Kentucky Derby participation.

Tapit Trice

Coming in tenth place on the leaderboard is Tapit Trice with 50 points. He is yet another Todd Pletcher thoroughbred that qualifies for the Kentucky Derby.

He participated in only one derby prep race, the Tampa Bay Derby, and won. But Todd Pletcher isn’t finished for Tapit Trice yet as he plans to enter his Tapit offspring thoroughbred on the Blue Grass Stakes this April 8.

Other Probable Contenders

The rest of the probable contenders are expected to be part of the 149th Kentucky Derby.

• Jace’s Road
• Dura Erede (JPN)
• Major Dude
• Disarm
• Sun Thunder
• Red Route One
• Instant Coffee
• Funtastic Again
• Classic Car Wash
• Continuar (JPN)

This list of the points acquired by these probable contenders could change as more Road to the Kentucky Derby races is still happening before the Kentucky Derby event.

How to Bet For The 2023 Kentucky Derby From the UK

There are three ways to bet for the 2023 Kentucky Derby. First, you can place your bet on the betting window at Churchill Downs on race day. You need to travel from your place to Louisville, KY, to be able to do this. Plus, you must pay for the race ticket, purchase the best outfit and the like.

The second way of betting for the upcoming Kentucky Derby is to go to the nearest off-track betting sites that can be found on racing tracks across the globe. Online betting is the last but most convenient option for you if you are betting from the UK.

Instead of spending a lot of money travelling to Louisville, KY or wasting your time searching for the nearest off-track betting sites near you, why not grab your phone and bet on Kentucky Derby on Fanduel from the comfort of your home?

In Conclusion

The probable contender list is getting clearer as we are nearing the end of the Road to the Kentucky Derby. However, you can use the data provided above to start planning your betting approach for this year’s Kentucky Derby, as it is only a few weeks from now.