The Kentucky Derby: 5 Horses to Keep an Eye On

The Kentucky Derby, also dubbed the “Run for the Roses,” is arguably one of the most prestigious events in the world of horse racing. The Kentucky Derby event has millions of fans’ attention all across the globe.

Three-year-old horses are lined up to compete in the race at the Churchill Downs racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky for a chance to bag a mouth-watering prize and become a part of racing history. As with preparations for the Kentucky Derby, the prep races provide fans, and horse race enthusiasts a glimpse into which horses have the potential to become a top contender.

In this article, we’re taking a look at five horses worth keeping an eye on in the upcoming prep races. This guide below will provide valuable information and insights as we journey to the Kentucky Derby for you.

FORTE

Forte is under the tutelage of Todd Pletcher, a two-time Kentucky Derby winner. As far as winning the Kentucky Derby is concerned, Forte’s currently favourite to win this event. It’s no surprise he’s the leading favourite to win the derby. Todd Pletcher’s trainee has to his name, three important races in the horse racing world; bagging the Hopeful Stakes, Breeder’s Futurity, and Breeder’s Juvenile Cup.

His ability to idle behind front-runners and power through his way to victory has been earmarked as a force to reckon with. Heading into the race in his favour is that a few thoroughbreds in the race run on the front end.

This should help make his signature move to pass from behind on the far turn as the front-runners weaken. As Forte prepares for his name prep race, he’s the bookies leading sure favourite for America’s biggest race event. So, whether you are a seasoned sports bettor or just starting with the Kentucky Derby Betting, endeavour to have a look at 2023 odds-on-favourite and get the most out of an exciting race.

TAPIT TRICE

Second on our list is the Tapit Trice, who’s heading into the Derby as another Todd Pletcher-trained horse to watch out for. The three-year-old last March 11, bagged the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs. Not only has this brilliant horse won the massive $360,000 prize, but Tapit Trice also earned fifty points to his name toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby 2023.

However, it’s worth taking note that the cold is an off-the-pace runner who favours one sustained late rally. The running style from experience can be risky, as he may be boxed in or get hooked up behind a slow pace runner. Though, this style of racing can also allow him to oversee early trouble and make a strong late surge to the finish line.

PRACTICAL MOVE

For a promising contender bet, Practical Move is worth the dime for the 2023 Kentucky Derby. The colt earned fifty qualifying points via winning the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes by being heedful to pace.

The three-year-old colt is fully aware of pace being an essential attribute for every horse in horse racing and he comes fully loaded. If he continues to perform well in upcoming prep races by maintaining its focus on pace, Practical Move could well be a strong contender for the Kentucky Derby.

HIT SHOW

Hit Show, a colt trained by Brad Cox, earned twenty qualifying points towards the 2023 Kentucky Derby with the $250,000 Withers Stakes win. This achievement is undeniably a great one and shows that he has the potential to compete at a high level in the upcoming Kentucky Derby.

Lining up against other impressive runners, it will be interesting to see how Hit Show performs in future races leading up to the Kentucky Derby and whether he will accumulate or drop points. However, as a promising prospect, if Hit Show can maintain its winning form, he could be a strong contender in the Kentucky Derby.

TWO PHIL’S

Two Phil bagged 123 qualifying points for the 2023 Kentucky Derby. He alongside FORTE, sits at the top of the leaderboard as the favourite to win the biggest price Kentucky Derby has got to offer. 

According to emerging reports, the colt’s trainer, Larry Rivelli plans to spend the next few weeks at Hawthorne in a bid to prepare his trainee for the Kentucky Derby. This attempt stands as yet another brilliant move in keeping the horse in top form for the unique challenges of the Kentucky Derby.

With the colt’s trainer experience and success, there’s no doubt that Two Phil’s is in good hands. Heading into the event with such a significant lead in qualifying points and under Larry Rivelli’s tutelage, it will be interesting to see how the horse performs in the Kentucky Derby.

If Two Phil can maintain this brilliant form and perform brilliantly well in the upcoming race, he could be a strong contender for the Kentucky Derby and potentially goes head-to-head with Forte for winning.

TAKEAWAY

The road or build-up races leading to the Kentucky Derby are always an interesting time in horse racing events. Just the best horses are in the start line of these events, so predicting which horses will come out on top can be tricky.

But these five horses herein have shown promising potential in their recent races. As they are all lined up for continuing in upcoming prep races, we’ll better understand their abilities and whether they have what it takes to compete in the Kentucky Derby.

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