We are one month away from the Fastest Two Minutes in Sports. Also known as the Run for the Roses, the Kentucky Derby is horse racing’s biggest day. Accordingly, gamblers are scouring the 2023 Kentucky Derby Odds for winners. It is true that good value can be found in the early Kentucky Derby lines. Gamblers often overreact, good and bad, to the Kentucky Derby prep races that lead up to the May 6 race. Namely, Forte has become the public favorite to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby. But there are numerous other realistic choices too.
2023 Kentucky Derby
| Date and Time: | Saturday, May 6, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky |
| TV Coverage: | NBC |
2022 Kentucky Derby Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Forte | 3/1 |
| Tapit Trice | 8/1 |
| Practical Move | 10/1 |
| Kingsbarns | 10/1 |
| Two Phil’s | 25/1 |
| Geaux Rocket Ride | 22/1 |
| Reincarnate | 18/1 |
| Confidence Game | 22/1 |
| Hit Show | 30/1 |
| Red Route One | 20/1 |
| National Treasure | 15/1 |
| Verifying | 22/1 |
2023 Kentucky Derby SBG Odds Overview
The Kentucky Derby is scheduled on the first Saturday in May each year. Specifically, Churchill Downs is the iconic venue for this American sports classic. The Run for the Roses is one and a quarter miles in length. On the whole, the Kentucky Derby generates more offshore betting action than all other races combined.
Due to the massive handle generated for the Kentucky Derby, gamblers must carefully assess value. The Kentucky Derby draws a considerable amount of casual money from bettors who know nothing about horse racing. Correlate these gamblers often bet the favorites or handicap the race based on media hype. Therefore, a Kentucky Derby favorite will often become a monster that is fed on publicity. And that means a price on a horse far above what it should be.
With that public factor in mind, sharps often look elsewhere than chalk. And with plenty of good reason. Upset winners often emerge on Derby Day. Most important of all, gamblers must realize that the best horses in the world make the starting gate on Derby Day. Hence, there are several great choices to bet on beyond the public favorite. And at a much better price.
Forte Takes the Point
So far, Forte has amassed 90 total points and $1.78 million of earnings. Forte is drawing plenty of betting action based on a dominant record. Additionally, Forte is trained by Todd Pletcher, one of the biggest brands in the sport. Late on, Forte won four consecutive races. Last time out, Forte won the Grade 1 Fountain of Youth on March 4, 2023. Previously, Forte won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on November 4, 2022. And then, on October 8, 2022, Forte was the winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Futurity. In particular, Forte’s win at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile set him up as the chalk. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile has traditionally been seen as a peak into the future for the Kentucky Derby.
Tapit Trice Offers More Potential Value
Next on the board behind Forte is Tapit Trice. It is not a 2023 Kentucky Derby Odds coincidence that Todd Pletcher also trains Tapit Trice. Tapit Trice is riding a 3-race winning streak. Last time out, Tapit Trice won the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby on March 11, 2023.
Baffert Remains Missing in Action
Once upon a time, Bob Baffert with the most dominant trainer in horse racing. But Baffert was suspended in 2021 for doping horses. Baffert led Medina Spirit to the 2021 Kentucky Derby winners circle, only to be disqualified later. Subsequently, Medina Spirit died a few months later. Baffert remains suspended at Churchill Downs and other major tracks.