A run through the field: Odds and info on every 2023 Kentucky Derby contender
1. Hit Show
Jockey: Manny Franco, 28. Puerto Rico native has had four Derby starters and was 2nd with heavy favorite Tiz the Law in 2020.
Trainer: Brad Cox, 43. Louisville native won Eclipse Award as top trainer in 2020 and 2021. Won Derby via DQ with Mandaloun in 2021.
Owners: Gary and Mary West had their first Derby starter 30 years ago. Homebred Maximum Security crossed the finish line first in 2019 but was DQ’d.
Breeder: Gary and Mary West
Pedigree: Candy Ride — Actress by Tapit
Foaled: May 9, 2020
2023: 2 starts, 1-1-0, $277,500
2022: 3 starts, 2-0-0, $126,875
Last start: 2nd in Wood Memorial, April 8.
2. Verifying
Odds: 15-1
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione, 28. Florida native has had five Derby starters. Best finish: 7th with War of Will in 2019.
Trainer: Brad Cox, 43. Louisville native started his first horse in 2004, and his breakout year came in 2018, when Monomoy Girl won the Kentucky Oaks and Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
Owners: Jonathan Poulin, Michael Kuessner, Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor
Breeder: Hunter Valley & Mountmellick Farm, LLC
Pedigree: Justify — Diva Delite by Repent
Foaled: May 11, 2020
2023: 3 starts, 1-1-0, $292,150
2022: 3 starts, 1-1-0, $197,750
Last start: 2nd in Blue Grass Stakes, April 8.
3. Two Phil’s
Odds: 12-1
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry, 35. Michigan native began his riding career in 2005, and Two Phil’s is his highest-earning mount. This is his first Derby.
Trainer: Larry Rivelli, 51. Chicago native won final eight trainer titles at Arlington Park. This is his first Derby.
Owners: Patricia’s Hope LLC, Phillip Sagan and Madaket Stables. Patricia’s Hope is majority owner and run by Vince Foglia, a Chicago-based founder of health care goods company Sage Products.
Breeder: Phillip Sagan
Pedigree: Hard Spun — Mia Torri by General Quarters
Foaled: March 16, 2020
2023: 3 starts, 1-1-1, $488,000
2022: 5 starts, 3-0-0, $195,450
Last start: 1st in Jeff Ruby Steaks, March 25.
4. Confidence Game
Odds: 20-1
Jockey: James Graham, 43. Ireland native is a regular at Keeneland and has four Fair Grounds riding titles. Best finish in two previous Derbys: 8th on Lone Sailor in 2018.
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux, 56. Louisiana native has had three Derby starters, including 2016 second-place finisher Exaggerator, who won the Preakness.
Owners: Don’t Tell My Wife Stables (part owner of fifth-place My Boy Jack in 2018 Derby) and Ocean Reef Racing (led by Louisville native William Paynter).
Breeder: Summer Wind Equine LLC
Pedigree: Candy Ride — Eblouissante by Bernardini
Foaled: April 23, 2020
2023: 2 starts, 1-0-1, $601,750
2022: 5 starts, 2-1-1, $183,775
Last start: 1st in Rebel Stakes, Feb. 25.
5. Tapit Trice
Odds: 5-1
Jockey: Luis Saez, 30. Panama native has his 10th Derby starter. Finished first in 2019 aboard Maximum Security, who was DQ’d to 17th after the race.
Trainer: Todd Pletcher, 55. Texas native has a record eight Eclipse Awards (including last year’s honor) and trained Derby winners Super Saver, Always Dreaming.
Owners: Gainesway Stable in Lexington and Whisper Hill Farm, which is run by Mandy Pope, whose family owns Variety Wholesalers.
Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds
Pedigree: Tapit — Danzatrice by Dunkirk
Foaled: Feb. 17, 2020
2023: 3 starts, 3-0-0, $826,700
2022: 2 starts, 1-0-1, $56,950
Last start: 1st in Blue Grass Stakes, April 8.
6. Kingsbarns
Odds: 12-1
Jockey: Jose Ortiz, 29. Puerto Rico native is 2017 Eclipse Award winner with five top-6 finishes in seven Derby starts. Second on Good Magic in 2018.
Trainer: Todd Pletcher, 55. Texas native has had a record 62 horses in the Derby, with his first starters coming in 2000.
Owners: Spendthrift Farm is owned by Eric & Tammy Gustavson. Tammy is the daughter of the late B. Wayne Hughes, a billionaire and longtime horse owner.
Breeder: Parks Investment Group
Pedigree: Uncle Mo — Lady Tapit by Tapit
Foaled: Jan. 17, 2020
2023: 3 starts, 3-0-0, $657,300
2022: No starts
Last start: 1st in Louisiana Derby, March 25.
7. Reincarnate
Odds: 50-1
Jockey: John Velazquez, 51. Puerto Rico native is a Hall of Fame jockey with two Eclipse Awards and three Derby wins (Animal Kingdom, Always Dreaming, Authentic).
Trainer: Tim Yakteen, 58. Germany native took over training duties on Reincarnate from suspended Bob Baffert in February.
Owner: SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan
Breeder: Woods Edge Farm LLC
Pedigree: Good Magic — Allanah by Scat Daddy
Foaled: April 1, 2020
2023: 3 starts, 1-0-2, $263,250
2022: 4 starts, 1-3-0, $82,400
Last start: 3rd in Arkansas Derby, April 1.
8. Mage
Odds: 15-1
Jockey: Javier Castellano, 45. Venezuela native is a Hall of Famer and four-time Eclipse winner. Zero wins in 15 Derby starts so far.
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado, 66. Venezuela native was a dominant trainer in his home country and has had two Derby starters: Majesto (18th in 2016) and Bodexpress (13th in 2019).
Owner: OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing, and CMNWLTH (a company that sells shares in racehorses).
Breeder: Grandview Equine
Pedigree: Good Magic — Puca by Big Brown
Foaled: April 18, 2020
2023: 3 starts, 1-1-0, $247,200
2022: No starts
Last start: 2nd in Florida Derby, April 1.
9. Skinner
Odds: Scratched
Jockey: Juan Hernandez, 31. Mexico native started his career at age 16 and won the Santa Anita Park riding title earlier this year. This will be his first Derby.
Trainer: John Shirreffs, 77. Kansas native won 2005 Derby with 50-1 shot Giacomo, but he’s best known for training the great Zenyatta.
Owner: CRK Stable is owned by Lee and Susan Searing of California. Lee is CEO of Searing Industries, specializing in steel-tubing products.
Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC
Pedigree: Curlin — Winding Way by Malibu Moon
Foaled: Feb. 18, 2020
2023: 3 starts, 1-0-2, $178,200
2022: 3 starts, 0-0-1, $38,100
Last start: 3rd in Santa Anita Derby, April 8.
10. Practical Move
Odds: Scratched
Jockey: Ramon Vazquez, 37. Puerto Rico native moved to USA in 2011. Only Derby start: 13th with Mr. Z in 2015.
Trainer: Tim Yakteen, 58. Germany native made Derby debut last year with Taiba (12th), Messier (15th).
Owner: Pierre & Leslie Amestoy, and Roger Beasley. The Amestoys — a former jockey agent and trainer, respectively — live in Albuquerque. Beasley owns car dealerships in Austin, Texas.
Breeder: Chad Brown and Head of Plains Partners
Pedigree: Practical Joke — Ack Naughty by Afleet Alex
Foaled: April 30, 2020
2023: 2 starts, 2-0-0, $690,000
2022: 5 starts, 2-1-2, $194,200
Last start: 1st in Santa Anita Derby, April 8.
11. Disarm
Odds: 30-1
Jockey: Joel Rosario, 38. Dominican Republic native won 2021 Eclipse Award and won 2013 Derby with Orb. Second on Epicenter last year.
Trainer: Steve Asmussen, 57. South Dakota native is a Hall of Fame trainer with a record 24 Derby starters without a win. Second with Epicenter in 2022.
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, started by the late Verne Winchell, who founded Winchell’s doughnut company and was CEO of Denny’s restaurants.
Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds
Pedigree: Gun Runner — Easy Tap by Tapit
Foaled: Feb. 28, 2020
2023: 3 starts, 0-2-1, $258,100
2022: 2 starts, 1-0-1, $69,750
Last start: 3rd in Lexington Stakes, April 15.
12. Jace’s Road
Odds: 50-1
Jockey: Florent Geroux, 36. France native rode 2021 Derby winner Mandaloun, as well as Eclipse Award-winning stars like Gun Runner and Monomoy Girl.
Trainer: Brad Cox, 43. Louisville native has a total of nine Breeders’ Cup wins since 2018, including the Classic with Knicks Go in 2021.
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds and Albaugh Family Stables
Breeder: Colts Neck Stables LLC
Pedigree: Quality Road — Out Post by Silver Deputy
Foaled: April 25, 2020
2023: 2 starts, 0-0-1, $111,250
2022: 4 starts, 2-0-1, $126,800
Last start: 3rd in Louisiana Derby, March 25.
13. Sun Thunder
Odds: 50-1
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr., 37. Louisiana native lives in Louisville and is one of the all-time leading jockeys at Churchill Downs. Best Derby finish in three starts: 8th on McCraken in 2017.
Trainer: Kenny McPeek, 60. Arkansas native is a Tates Creek High School and UK graduate. Eight previous Derby starters, including 1995 runner-up Tejano Run.
Owner: R.T. Racing Stable and Cypress Creek Equine
Breeder: Southern Equine Stables LLC
Pedigree: Into Mischief — Greenfield d’Oro by Medaglia d’Oro
Foaled: March 12, 2020
2023: 4 starts, 0-1-0, $181,500
2022: 2 starts, 1-0-1, $66,000
Last start: 4th in Blue Grass Stakes, April 8.
14. Angel of Empire
Odds: 8-1
Jockey: Flavien Prat, 30. France native has had five Derby starters, with four top-3 finishes, including winner Country House in 2019.
Trainer: Brad Cox, 43. Louisville native had total of five Derby starters in 2021 and 2022.
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables is based in Iowa. Dennis Albaugh founded Albaugh LLC, a pesticide and fertilizer company.
Breeder: Forgotten Land Investment Inc. & Black Diamond Equine Corp.
Pedigree: Classic Empire — Armony’s Angel by To Honor and Serve
Foaled: April 9, 2020
2023: 3 starts, 2-1-0, $1,026,375
2022: 3 starts, 2-0-0, $43,000
Last start: 1st in Arkansas Derby, April 1.
15. Forte
Odds: Scratched
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr., 30. Puerto Rico native has won four Eclipse Awards since 2018. Best Derby finish: 4th with Improbable in 2019.
Trainer: Todd Pletcher, 55. Texas native has multiple Derby starters for 20th time. Only five other trainers have had more than 20 total Derby starters.
Owner: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, run by billionaire businessmen Mike Repole and Vinnie Viola, the team behind 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Vino Rosso.
Breeder: South Gate Farm
Pedigree: Violence — Queen Caroline by Blame
Foaled: Feb. 3, 2020
2023: 2 starts, 2-0-0, $814,680
2022: 5 starts, 4-0-0, $1,595,150
Last start: 1st in Florida Derby, April 1.
16. Raise Cain
Odds: 50-1
Jockey: Gerardo Corrales, 27. Panama native is the son of a trainer and a graduate of the Laffit Pincay Jr. jockey academy. This is his first Derby.
Trainer: Ben Colebrook, 45. Born in Tennessee but raised in central Kentucky, he studied at UK and is based at Keeneland. This is his first Derby.
Owner: Andrew & Rania Warren are based in Oklahoma. Andrew is the grandson of William K. Warren, who founded Warren Petroleum.
Breeder: Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds LLC
Pedigree: Violence — Lemon Belle by Lemon Drop Kid
Foaled: April 7, 2020
2023: 3 starts, 1-0-0, $196,404
2022: 4 starts, 1-1-1, $99,924
Last start: 5th in Blue Grass Stakes, April 8.
17. Derma Sotogake
Odds: 10-1
Jockey: Christophe Lemaire, 43. France native has been Japan’s leading jockey several times. Only Derby start: 13th with Crown Pride last year.
Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi, 68. Japan native is a former jockey and has been one of the top trainers in his home country over the past two decades.
Owner: Hiroyuki Asanuma is a dermatologist and has been in horse racing for around 30 years. This will be his first trip to Kentucky.
Breeder: Shadai Farm
Pedigree: Mind Your Biscuits — Amour Poesie by Neo Universe
Foaled: April 28, 2020
2023: 2 starts, 1-0-1, $730,000
2022: 6 starts, 3-0-1, $432,164
Last start: 1st in UAE Derby, March 25.
18. Rocket Can
Odds: 30-1
Jockey: Junior Alvarado, 36. Venezuela native has had three Derby starters with a best finish of 4th aboard Mohaymen in 2016.
Trainer: Bill Mott, 69. South Dakota native is a Hall of Fame trainer and won the 2019 Derby via DQ with Country House. He’s had 11 previous Derby starters.
Owner: Frank Fletcher Racing Operations Inc. is run by Frank Fletcher Jr., an Arkansas businessman.
Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC
Pedigree: Into Mischief — Tension by Tapit
Foaled: April 28, 2020
2023: 3 starts, 1-1-0, $284,025
2022: 4 starts, 1-1-0, $99,388
Last start: 4th in Arkansas Derby, April 1.
19. Lord Miles
Odds: Scratched
Jockey: Paco Lopez, 37. Mexico native moved to USA in 2007. Two previous Derbys: Firenze Fire (11th in 2018), Ny Traffic (8th in 2020).
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr., 36. Barbados native is a third-generation horseman with two previous Derby starters: Ny Traffic (8th in 2020), White Abarrio (16th in 2022).
Owner: Vegso Racing Stable is owned by Peter Vegso, original publisher of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series.
Breeder: Vegso Racing Stable
Pedigree: Curlin — Lady Esme by Majestic Warrior
Foaled: March 30, 2020
2023: 4 starts, 1-0-1, $427,100
2022: 1 starts, 1-0-0, $24,000
Last start: 1st in Wood Memorial, April 8.
20. Continuar
Odds: Scratched
Jockey: Ryusei Sakai, 25. Japan native has raced all around the world, and this would have been his first Derby.
Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi, 62. Japan native is a top trainer in his home country and won two Breeders’ Cup races in 2021 and this year’s $20 million Saudi Cup with Panthalassa. This was his first Derby.
Owner: Lion Race Horse Co. Ltd. is based in Japan.
Breeder: Lake Villa Farm
Pedigree: Drefong — Pan De Ring by King Kamehameha
Foaled: March 7, 2020
2023: 2 starts, 0-0-1, $145,000
2022: 3 starts, 2-1-0, $192,889
Last start: 3rd in UAE Derby, March 25.
21. Cyclone Mischief
Odds: 30-1
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr., 30. Puerto Rico native has won four Eclipse Awards since 2018. Best Derby finish: 4th with Improbable in 2019. (Ortiz was a late addition after the scratch of Forte on Saturday morning.)
Trainer: Dale Romans, 56. Louisville native has won a number of major races but is 0-for-11 in the hometown Derby.
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables LLC and Castleton Lyons (a Lexington horse farm established in 1793 by Kentucky politician John Breckinridge).
Breeder: Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate
Pedigree: Into Mischief — Areyoucominghere by Bernardini
Foaled: April 30, 2020
2023: 4 starts, 1-0-2, $177,100
2022: 3 starts, 1-0-1, $69,250
Last start: 3rd in Florida Derby, April 1.
22. Mandarin Hero
Odds: 20-1
Jockey: Kazushi Kimura, 23. Japan native won 2019 Eclipse Award as top apprentice jockey and was a former meet champion at Woodbine in Ontario. This will be his first Derby.
Trainer: Terunobu Fujita, 46. Japan native started his own stable in 2010, and this will be his first Derby.
Owner: Hiroaki Arai
Breeder: Hirano Bokujo
Pedigree: Shanghai Bobby — Namura Nadeshiko by Fuji Kiseki
Foaled: March 20, 2020
2023: 2 starts, 0-2-0, $181,128
2022: 4 starts, 4-0-0, $205,726
Last start: 3rd in Santa Anita Derby, April 8.
23. King Russell
Odds: 50-1
Jockey: Rafael Bejarano, 40. Peru native ranked top 10 in USA earnings every year from 2004-15. No better than 4th in 12 career Derby starts.
Trainer: Ron Moquett, 51. Oklahoma native is best known for training champion sprinter Whitmore, who was 19th in 2016 Derby. Only other Derby starter: Far Right (15th in 2015).
Owner: Brereton C. Jones (former Governor of Kentucky) and Naber Racing LLC.
Breeder: Brereton C. Jones
Pedigree: Creative Cause — Believe You Will by Proud Citizen
Foaled: Feb. 8, 2020
2023: 3 starts, 1-2-0, $299,500
2022: 3 starts, 0-1-0, $22,850
Last start: 2nd in Arkansas Derby, April 1.
