Which Horses to Back in 2023 Run for the Roses
Every year, the Kentucky Derby produces a winner that is set to pull off the Triple Crown Series. Horse racing, like any other sports event, gets random outcomes. The early morning odds would sometimes win in the race, but in many cases, the heavy favorites would be podium finishers at most.
Even months before major sports events like the Kentucky Derby, punters would discuss which horses would win in the race and what factors would likely affect the event’s outcome. Since the Kentucky Derby has an illustrious history of 149 years, let us stick to the usual pre-Kentucky Derby routine and check out the horses frequently mentioned by the race spectators.
Forte
Forte has earned an outstanding 190 points on his way to the 2023 Run for the Roses. Todd Pletcher, a famous horse racing trainer, was the horse’s mentor. He was sired by Violence, an iconic thoroughbred of his generation and the 2012 Grade I CashCall Futurity winner. Repole Stable & St. Elias Stable owns this three-year-old dark bay colt.
He won two races out of his four starts in 2023, placing him on top of FanDuel’s kentucky derby picks. The most recent prep race he has competed in is the Florida Derby, where he placed first and earned 100 points.
Practical Move
Trained by Tim Yakteen, Practical Move has earned 160 points for the 2023 Run for the Roses. He has the second-highest points earned during prep races, following Forte with 190 points.
Born in 2020, the bay colt has conquered stakes races like the San Felipe Stakes, where he acquired 50 qualifying points, guaranteeing a spot in the Kentucky Derby’s field of 20 thoroughbreds. Last April 8, Practical Move won the Grade 1 $750,000 Santa Anita Derby and earned 100 points, making him one of the top point earners for 2023 Run for the Roses.
Angel of Empire
Sired by Classic Empire out of Armony’s Angel, the bay colt has grown to become one of the toughest three-year-olds you can witness in American thoroughbred racing today. Angel of Empire has earned 154 points in the prep races for the Kentucky Derby.
Trained by the iconic Brad H. Cox, Angel of Empire placed second in the 2023 Smarty Jones, earning 4 points. He went on to conquer the Grade 2 $400,000 Risen Star Stakes and acquired 50 points. He also participated and won the Grade 1 $1.25 million Arkansas Derby and earned 100 points.
Tapit Trice
Tapit Trice has locked in two wins out of his two starts in 2023. The roan colt was trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. Tapit Trice participated in the $400,000 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby last March 11 and won. He earned 50 qualifying points in the 12-horse field. His final prep race was the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes last April 8 at Keeneland, and he earned 100 points.
Two Phil’s
With 123 points for the 2023 Kentucky Derby, Two Phil was also a popular horse in the upcoming race. The chestnut colt was an offspring of Hard Spun out of Mia Torri. Two Phil’s won one race out of his four starts this year.
Last January 21, he placed second in the Grade 3 $200,000 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds. He earned 8 points in his first start. On February 18, he competed in the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes, where he placed third and earned 15 points. He also competed in Grade 3 $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks, and outdid the competition, earning 100 points.
Lord Miles
Earning 105 qualifying points under the drilling of trainer Saffie A. Joseph Jr., Lord Miles is now ready to conquer the 2023 Kentucky Derby. He placed one first and one third out of his four starts in 2023. Curlin sired the three-year-old colt out of Lady Esme. He placed third in the Mucho Macho Man last January 1, 2023. He dominated in the 2023 Wood Memorial (G2) last April 4, 2023, and earned 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby.
Derma Sotogake
Derma Sotogake earned 100 qualifying points for the 2023 Kentucky Derby. He is a three-year thoroughbred from Japan, making him a unique choice in the Run for the Roses’ field of 20. Derma Sotogake recently won the UAE Derby, the second-longest Kentucky Derby prep race.
The Japan-bred colt has the shortest winning time in the UAE Derby, with 1:55.81, breaking Mendelssohn’s record in 2018. If you are wondering if other international horses are in the Kentucky Derby, the answer is yes. Continuar, the thor-place in the UAE Derby, will also be running in the Churchill Downs this May 6. He got in with an extremely rare invite from the Kentucky Derby officials.
Final Thoughts
The 2023 Run for the Roses will feature Triple Crown Series hopefuls. These three-year-old thoroughbreds will be competing against each other, intending to advance to the second leg of the series, with great motivation and enthusiasm. You might be leaning towards the race’s favorites but note that sports events like the Kentucky Derby can produce surprising outcomes, so do your homework before placing your bet.
