With the Kentucky Derby right around the corner, many US bettors are preparing to place their wagers on one of the most exciting horse racing events of the year. The Derby will kick off at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 8, leaving plenty of time for bettors to get the latest info, predictions, and stats. With a purse of $ 3 million and some of the best horses in the country, there are some excellent betting options that will be presented at leading online sportsbooks. Bets are already being taken, so now is the time to get all the info on the latest predictions for this year's event.
Last year, fans saw a huge upset happen when Rich Strike, a horse with 80:1 odds, took down the favorites Zandon and Epicenter to win the 148th Derby. So, who is expected to be the winner this year? Here, you can check out some of the predictions from industry experts from horse.bet, US horse racing betting guide, and see what they have to say about placing bets on this exciting horse race.
Current Favorite
As the race grows close, there is a current favorite that is expected to perform quite well at the race. Forte has odds at +250 and the horse has been on an amazing winning streak. He won five races in a row, starting with a win at Saratoga in 2022. There has been only one time when Forte has finished lower than first place. Coming off a win at the Florida Derby, Forte is one of the best horses in the field. The horse was unstoppable in Florida and finished with great speed. This shows that the added distance that will be run at the Kentucky Derby should pose no challenge to Forte.
Solid Contenders
While Forte is currently the top choice for who will be the winner this year, there are other great options for those that will be placing bets. This year's race will feature some of the best horses running, so there are exciting odds and top possible payouts. As you prepare for placing bets, be sure to consider these great contenders. They can offer some great value and have the chance to finish in top positions.
- Tapit Trice – This 3 year old has been trained by Todd Plencher and the jockey is Luis Saez. This string horse has won four races and was the April winner of the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. If Tapit Trice can claim the win at the Kentucky Derby, he will be the first horse since 1991 to win both the Derby and the Blue Grass races.
- Angel of Empire – Don't overlook this horse when betting. Trained by Brad Cox, Angel of Empire has had great success. He won the Grade 1 race when competing in the Arkansas Derby and this was the win that had experts declaring him a top contender for the 2023 Kentucky Derby. The horse has won three out of the past four races and is in peak form. His trainer, Cox, trained the horse that took the win in the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
- Practical Move – This two-year colt is expected to put on a great performance this year and the horse has finished with spots on the podium in every single career race. He has enjoyed four wins, including the Santa Anita Derby, winning by just an edge against Mandarin Hero. Many experts are favoring Practical Move due to the fast improvements that have been made. The first sign that this horse would be a major contender in the Derby was his win in 2022 at the Los Alamitos Futurity. In addition to the Los Alamitos Futurity win, Practical Move won the Grade I Santa Anita Derby as well as the Grade II San Felipe Stakes, sweeping the Kentucky Derby prep season.
- Derma Sotogake – With current odds of 10-1, Derma Sotogake is one to watch this year. The horse is one of just two Japanese entrants and had a huge victory in the UAE Derby in Meydan. In the past, Japanese horses have been 0-2 at the Kentucky Derby and this year, those stats may change. This horse has already won multiple grade races worldwide and can offer some great value to bettors. Japan has been working hard to build a solid horse racing program and many horses from Japan have won huge races in the US. The 2021 Breeders' Cup had two Japanese winners, Loves Only You and Marche Lorraine.
Great Levels of Competition for 2023
Horse racing is one of the top sports for those that enjoy placing bets and in addition to the speed and excitement, the competition plays a major role in attracting bettors With races being broken into various levels based on age, sex, and ability, there are endless betting options. The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious races in the US and it is the first step to being a Triple Crown winner.
Betting on this event can yield some tremendous payouts and with some great horses running, here are excellent odds. The Derby is expected to be one of the most exciting of past years. The upset win last year by Rich Strike just shows how exciting the race can be. Even a horse with the best odds and best performances can fall short and be overtaken by the underdog. The uncertainty is what appeals to many bettors and this year, the two greatest minutes in sports will provide competition, excitement, and top odds.
