Kentucky Derby Betting Tips
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of America's Triple Crown and it takes place at Churchill Downs, with a post-time of 11.57pm UK-time (6.57pm local time) on Saturday 6th May.
Dubbed the 'Run for the Roses' - stemming from the blanket of roses draped over the winner – it is one of America's most fabled races and this year's renewal looks wide open with trainer Todd Pletcher spearheading the contest with three strong contenders, alongside two from Japan in their quest for a first win and a trio from local trainer Brad Cox.
A maximum field of 20 are set to enter the starting stall for the 2023 Kentucky Derby and our expert has two to consider for the 'fastest two minutes in sport'.
Selection: Angel Of Empire @ 7/1
Next Best: Two Phil's @ 16/1
Tip 1: Forte is the one to beat
With three leading contenders in market leader Forte, Tapit Trice and Kingsbarns, two-time Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher has every reason to be confident.
He's also satisfied with his stall allocations, confirming they all fell within the range he'd hoped for.
On paper, Florida Derby winner Forte deserves his spot as favourite. His jockey, Irad Ortiz Jr has more than 3000 winners on his CV already, including two in the Belmont Stakes and double-figures at the prestigious Breeders' Cup meeting but, as yet, the Puerto Rican-born pilot still has to check off a win in this contest.
This could be his time, with Forte looking visually impressive in his prep wins, but he isn't clear of the rest on ratings and may need to step up to win here.
Tip 2: Japan's hopes are high but draw is not great
Japanese horses have been winning major races around the world in recent times and two raiders from the Far East come to Kentucky hoping to be the first Japan-trained winner of this race.
Derma Sotogake drew the No. 17 post, which is the only spot never to produce a Kentucky Derby winner after 43 attempts, while Continuar is widest of all in gate 20, thus have the nightmare trip to overcome. Big Brown (2008) and Rich Strike (2022) both won from that stall, however. Derma Sotogake, trained by Hidetaka Otonashi and the mount of Christophe Lemaire has the speed and talent to be a factor.
Tip 3; Angel Of Empire may strike for Cox
Brad Cox is a locally-based trainer with a vested interest in this historic contest. He's technically got a win on the board but that didn't arrive in satisfactory fashion.
Mandaloun is in the history books as the 2021 Derby winner but only after first-past-the-post Medina Spirit was disqualified by Kentucky Horse Racing Commission – only the third time that has happened in the near 150-year history of the race.
Cox could get to enjoy the moment properly this year with ANGEL OF EMPIRE, winner of last month's Arkansas Derby. The Flavien Prat-ridden son of Classic Empire has improved to win the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds and that Oaklawn Park Grade 1 this spring and looks capable of better still. He's a strong-travelling sort and should be doing his best work deep inside the home stretch ensuring he looks one to be onside with.
Tip 4: Two Phil's an interesting outsider
Trainer Larry Rivelli will be eager to see what TWO PHIL'S can do from stall two after he scorched clear to win at Turfway Park over a mile-and-one-furlong last time.
He'd earlier finished third behind Angel Of Empire at Fairgrounds and stepped up on that when winning a valuable Grade 3 dirt contest in taking fashion. That same contest was won by Rich Strike en route to his shock win in the Derby last year. Two Phil's is already a track winner at Churchill Downs and if he lasts home over the extra distance now, he's one of the interesting Kentucky Derby outsiders.
