The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the three huge horse racing events in the horse racing field in the United States, together with the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Many people look forward to the Kentucky Derby because it’s also the start of the path of a potential new Triple Crown winner.
That’s why you should also never miss this opportunity to participate and place your wagers. To help you with your favourites, here is a list of horses you should never miss this year.
Forte
Forte is one of the top experts picks this year. He’s a three-year-old brown colt that started running competitively just last year. This excellent thoroughbred horse has already participated in six starts, winning five, including his most recent one, the 2023 Fountain of Youth (G2), last March 4, 2023.
A few of his noteworthy starts include the 2022 Hopeful (G1), 2022 Breeders’ Futurity (G1), 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), and the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). As such, many bettors have already looked forward to how he will perform for this year’s Kentucky Derby.
Practical Move
Practical Move is another three-year-old colt with a relatively good record. He’s sired by Practical Joke by Afleet Alex. Like Forte, Practical Move also had his first start and first win in 2023 at 2023 San Felipe (G2). Aside from this, he’s also placed first in two other events, namely 2022 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and San Anita MSW. Aside from these achievements, he has also placed in second once and twice in third place.
Additionally, Practical Move’s highest recorded Equibase speed is 108, which is relatively fast compared to the average horse speed.
Hit Show
Compared to the horses so far, Hit Show only started his first stakes win just this year in 2023 Withers (G3) last February 11, which he won. This performance attracted several experts’ and bettor’s attention, so he made it to many people’s favourites.
Being relatively new in the competitive field, Hit Show has more to show to the people, making him one of the horses you should look forward to for the 2023 Kentucky Derby. With a 93-highest e-speed figure, he’s undoubtedly one of the fastest on the dirt track.
Instant Coffee
Together with Hit Show, Instant Coffee only participated in a few starts. So far, he has been in four races, winning first place in three. In his first stakes run, he faced Forte and only came as the fourth placer, which is an okay achievement for a first-timer. The event was the 2022 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) last October 8, 2022.
However, after this, he has already won his following races, namely the 2022 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) and the most recent, 2023 Lecomte (G3), last January 21, 2023. Instant Coffee is also a fast runner with the 99-highest e-speed figure under his name.
Raise Cain
Another bay colt on the list is Raise Cain. He’s fifth on the list of horses that could run in the upcoming 2023 Kentucky Derby. He’s already had six starts throughout his career, including two starts for 2023.
Raise Cain has won the most recent one, namely 2023 Gotham (G3), and although he lost his 2023 Leonatus Stakes race, he still finished in fifth place. Moreover, he has accumulated 54 points so far, which ties him with Angel of Empire, and if all goes well, he can secure his spot for the 2023 Kentucky Derby and have a chance at the Triple Crown.
Angel of Empire
Next to the list is the three-year-old bay colt, Angel of Empire. He’s another horse that has already participated in two starts this year, which are also his first stakes races. Angel of Empire welcomed 2023, with a good race in 2023 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park last January 1. Though he only finished second, his following race didn’t disappoint. He later participated in the 2023 Risen Star (G2), finishing first with 93 speed.
Confidence Game
Confidence Game holds the most starts in this list. Throughout this colt’s career, he’s already participated in seven starts, two of which are from 2023. He’s also won in six, where he placed first thrice, once in second, and twice in third. Confidence Game’s most recent start was in the 2023 Rebel Stakes (G2) last February 25, where he finished first.
Aside from this, his other noteworthy starts include the 2023 Lecomte (G3), where he faced Instant Coffee and finished as a third placer, and the 2022 Iroquois (G3), where he, unfortunately, finished as fifth. Nonetheless, Confidence Game continued to run and make excellent records. In the Kentucky Derby, fans can also expect more this May 6.
Banishing
This chestnut colt is also one of the horses that will run in the fields of Churchill Downs. Banishing is relatively new to the competitive field and hasn’t participated in any stakes run. Nonetheless, he has attracted a lot of attention after he competed and won his start at the FairGrounds Saturday with a staggering and one and a 1/6 -mile allowance on dirt.
This win has become his ticket to the 2023 Kentucky Derby, and many fans are making noise about this fantastic record. If all is well, Banishing can make history in this year’s Kentucky Derby, which will go down in the books.
Tapit Rice
Tapit Rice is also an excellent roan colt who will try his shot at the 2023 Kentucky Derby. He has participated in four starts, and his only stakes run is the 2023 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) that took place last March 11, 2023. As great a horse as he is, Tapit Rice won this start like his two others. Little is known about this young colt yet, but he’s also attracting attention for his recent performance.
Rocket Can
Last on this list is another roan colt, Rocket Can. He’s also been very active since last year when he participated in six starts.
Rocket Can also participate in one of the races against Forte, where he only placed second but still displayed great speed in the 2023 Fountain of Youth (G2). In the race before that, he won his 2023 Holy Bull (G3) start last February 4, 2023, at Gulfstream Park. He’s already won twice and finished in second place twice throughout his career.
Final Thoughts
Until the 2023 Kentucky Derby opens its field, nothing is certain, but today would be a good time to pick your favourites and place your wagers. This article guides you through their significant events so far, and the horses listed above are the only few that will participate in the Derby.