At the onset of the week, handicapping preparation is in overdrive with the 2023 Kentucky Derby Odds. May 6 is fast approaching, and gamblers are looking hard for the perfect combination of value and ability. Namely, Forte is the current chalk at 3-1. But as we know, there are no sure things on Derby Day. The best horses in the world will take the starting gate for the blanket of roses and immortality. Wise Guys normally avoid betting 3-1 on a Kentucky Derby Horse. In turn, there are plenty of capable choices. But none match Forte’s dominant record.
2023 Kentucky Derby
| Date and Time: | Saturday, May 6, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky |
| TV Coverage: | NBC |
2023 Kentucky Derby Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Forte | 3/1 |
| Angel of Empire | 8/1 |
| Tapit Trice | 9/1 |
| Practical Move | 9/1 |
| Derma Sotogake | 10/1 |
| Kingsbarns | 12/1 |
| Verifying | 16/1 |
| Mage | 16/1 |
| Confidence Game | 20/1 |
| Two Phil’s | 25/1 |
| Rocket Can | 25/1 |
| Hit Show | 30/1 |
| Reincarnate | 30/1 |
| All Other Contenders | 40/1 |
2023 Kentucky Derby SBG Odds Overview
The Kentucky Derby is the biggest horse race of the year. Thus, the Run for the Roses draws a massive online betting handle. More money is bet on Derby Day than on any other race. Accordingly, there is more casual money bet on the Kentucky Derby than in all of the other horse races combined. These causal bettors make their wagers based on media hype. And that artificially inflates the price of the favorite. Correlate that sharp money will look elsewhere for a quality horse that the masses miss.
Forte Brings Momentum and Confidence to Kentucky Derby
With a five-race winning streak, Forte is the opening Kentucky Derby favorite. He will look to become just the third Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner to go on to win the Kentucky Derby. Previously, Street Sense (2006-07) and Nyquist (2015-16) accomplished the feat. Todd Pletcher is a name-brand trainer. His 62 starters are the most of any trainer in Derby history. Pletcher made his first trip in 2000. Overall, the only blemish on Forte’s resume is a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Sanford last July at Saratoga.
Forte scored an impressive win at the grade-1 Florida Derby on April 1, 2023. Pletcher said the takeaway from that Florida Derby performance is that Forte handled the race well. Specifically, the best part of the race for him was the last sixteenth of a mile. And Pletcher believes that will increase confidence that the added distance of the Kentucky Derby won’t be an issue. Pletcher said Forte took the challenge well and was on his toes as normal.
In sum, trainer Todd Pletcher is a 2-time Kentucky Derby winner. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr has been aboard for all seven of Forte’s starts. As a result, familiarity with horse and jockey could be the difference on Derby Day. Overall, Forte has competed in four grade-1 races, winning all of them. His lone loss was in a grade-3 race. Most important of all was the win at the grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. As a result of that win, Forte became the 2023 Kentucky Derby Odds favorite. And then wins at the grade-2 Fountain of Youth and grade-1 Florida Derby enhanced his status with gamblers.
In conclusion, Forte has the record, trainer, and jockey to become an understandable favorite.