2023 Kentucky Derby Field Preview & Poll
Here’s the ultimate quick guide to the 2023 Kentucky Derby field — because as the resident horse person, we know you’ll get grilled at your Derby party for the inside scoop.
This field preview was current as of 11 am, Friday, May 5th. It may change by the time the race begins. Don’t @ us.
HIT SHOW, 30-1
- (Candy Ride – Actress, by Tapit)
- Gray or roan colt
- Born May 9, 2020
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Jockey: Manny Franco
- Owner: Gary & Mary West
- Bred in Kentucky by Gary & Mary West Stables
- 5 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, and earnings of $404,375
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Won the Withers Stakes (G3)
- Finished 2nd in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2)
Hit Show showed a lot of grit in his final prep race, the Wood Memorial. He traveled wide on both turns and dueled to the finish to only be beaten a head at the wire. He has also ran at Churchill Downs before in his two year old season.
VERIFYING, 15-1
- (Justify – Diva Delite, by Repent)
- Bay colt
- Born May 11, 2020
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
- Owner: Jonathan Poulin, Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith & Michael B. Tabor
- Bred in Kentucky by Hunter Valley & Mountmellick Farm
- 6 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, and earnings of $489,900
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Finished 2nd in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1)
2022
- Finished 2nd in the Champagne Stakes (G1)
Verifying is sired by Triple Crown winner Justify. He lost by a neck in his last race in the Bluegrass Stakes but should have gained experience from that race to move on.
TWO PHILS, 12-1
- Hard Spun – Mia Torri, by General Quarters)
- Chestnut colt
- Born March 16, 2020
- Trainer: Larry Rivelli
- Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
- Owner: Patricia’s Hope & Phillip Sagan
- Bred in Kentucky by Phillip Sagan
- 8 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third, and earnings of $683,450
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Won the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3)
- Finished 2nd in the Lecomte Stakes (G3)
- Finished 3rd in the Risen Star Stakes (G2)
2022
- Won the Street Sense Stakes (G3)
- Won the Shakopee Juvenile Stakes
CONFIDENCE GAME, 20-1
- (Candy Ride – Eblouissante, by Bernardini)
- Dark bay colt
- Born April 23, 2020
- Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
- Jockey: James Graham
- Owner: Don’t Tell My Wife Stables
- Bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Equine
- 7 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, and earnings of $785,525
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Won the Rebel Stakes (G2)
- Finished 3rd in the Lecomte Stakes (G3)
Confidence Game is a sentimental choice to many as his dam is Eblouissante, half sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta. Sentiments aside, he has been showing great effort in his morning works since his win in the Rebel Stakes last out.
TAPIT TRICE, 5-1
- (Tapit – Danzatrice, by Dunkirk)
- Gray or roan colt
- Born February 17, 2020
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
- Jockey: Luis Saez
- Owner: Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable
- Bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds
- 5 starts, 4 wins, 1 third, and earnings of $883,650
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Won the Blue Grass Stakes (G1)
- Won the Tampa Bay Derby (G3)
Tapit Trice won the Bluegrass Stakes in expert fashion. He was able to run three wide in the first turn, take up a stalking position mid field and close on the leaders in the stretch while encountering traffic trouble from a drifting rival. He has shown the experience to do very well here and has earned being second choice in the odds.
KINGSBARNS, 12-1
- (Uncle Mo – Lady Tapit, by Tapit)
- Bay colt
- Born January 17, 2020
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
- Jockey: Jose Ortiz
- Owner: Spendthrift Farm
- Bred in Kentucky by Parks Investment Group
- 3 starts, 3 wins, and earnings of $657,300
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Won the Louisiana Derby (G2)
The only undefeated contender in this year’s field, but also the most inexperienced without running a single race in his 2 yr old year. He won his only derby prep, the Louisiana Derby, by an impressive 3 ½ lengths drawing away.
REINCARNATE, 50-1
- (Good Magic – Allanah, by Scat Daddy)
- Gray or roan colt
- Born April 1, 2020
- Trainer: Tim Yakteen
- Jockey: John Velazquez
- Owner: SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan
- Bred in Kentucky by Woods Edge Farm
- 7 starts, 2 wins, 3 seconds, 2 thirds, and earnings of $345,650
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Won the Sham Stakes (G3)
- Finished 3rd in the Arkansas Derby (G1)
- Finished 3rd in the Rebel Stakes (G2)
Reincarnate is sired by Good Magic who was 2nd in the Kentucky Derby himself. He comes from the same connections as Medina Spirit who won the 2021 Kentucky Derby. He has made it in off of minor placings to get his points and will be looking to improve off his last effort in the Arkansas Derby.
MAGE, 15-1
- Good Magic – Puca, by Big Brown)
- Chestnut colt
- Born April 18, 2020
- Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
- Jockey: Javier Castellano
- Owner: OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing & CMNWLTH
- Bred in Kentucky by Grandview Equine
- 3 starts, 1 win, 1 second, and earnings of $247,200
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Finished 2nd in the Florida Derby (G1)
Mage also is sired by Good Magic who was 2nd in the Kentucky Derby and his grandsire is Big Brown, winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby. Mage has the pedigree to go the mile and a quarter distance. He didn’t make a start in his 2 yr old year and his two placings in derby preps were behind the heavy favourite, Forte.
SKINNER, SCR
- (Curlin – Winding Way, by Malibu Moon)
- Bay colt
- Born February 18, 2020
- Trainer: John Shirreffs
- Jockey: Juan Hernandez
- Owner: C R K Stable
- Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings
- 6 starts, 1 win, 3 thirds, and earnings of $216,300
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Finished 3rd in the Santa Anita Derby (G1)
- Finished 3rd in the San Felipe Stakes (G2)
2022
- Finished 3rd in the Del Mar Futurity (G1)
Skinner comes in off minor placings to earn his points. His only win in his career was when he broke his maiden but he has always managed to be on the board when it counts.
PRACTICAL MOVE, SCR
- (Practical Joke – Ack Naughty, by Afleet Alex)
- Bay colt
- Born April 30, 2020
- Trainer: Tim Yakteen
- Jockey: Ramon Vazquez
- Owner: Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr., Leslie A. Amestoy & Roger K. Beasley
- Bred in Kentucky by Chad Brown & Head of Plains Partners
- 7 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, and earnings of $884,200
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Won the Santa Anita Derby (G1)
- Won the San Felipe Stakes (G2)
2022
- Won the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2)
- Finished 3rd in the Bob Hope Stakes (G3)
Practical Move showed a very gutsy win last out in the Santa Anita Derby. He was able to hold off closers and rally back well. Expect him to improve off that last race and show his experience when it matters in Kentucky.
DISARM, 30-1
- (Gun Runner – Easy Tap, by Tapit)
- Chestnut colt
- Born February 28, 2020
- Trainer: Steve Asmussen
- Jockey: Joel Rosario (1)
- Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds
- Bred in Kentucky by Winchell Thoroughbreds
- 5 starts, 1 win, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, and earnings of $327,850
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Finished 2nd in the Louisiana Derby (G2)
- Finished 3rd in the Lexington Stakes (G3)
Disarm was able to gather his points in the minor placings but he has never been off the board in 5 starts. The Asmussen barn trained his sire Gun Runner to a 3rd place finish in the Kentucky Derby and have had multiple others make the top 3 in the past few years. Don’t discount Disarm from a show ticket.
JACES ROAD, 15-1
Quality Road – Out Post, by Silver Deputy)
- Bay colt
- Born April 25, 2020
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Jockey: Florent Geroux
- Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds and Albaugh Family Stables
- Bred in Kentucky by Colts Neck Stables
- 6 starts, 2 wins, 2 thirds, and earnings of $238,050
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Finished 3rd in the Louisiana Derby (G2)
2022
- Won the Gun Runner Stakes
- Finished 3rd in the Iroquois Stakes (G3)
Jaces Road has also made his points off minor placings. His last out in the Louisiana Derby he was fading in the stretch. He will need to put in a big effort to overcome the mile and a quarter distance.
SUN THUNDER, 50-1
- (Into Mischief – Greenfield d’Oro, by Medaglia d’Oro)
- Bay colt
- Born March 12, 2020
- Trainer: Kenny McPeek
- Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
- Owner: R.T Racing Stable and Cypress Creek Equine
- Bred in Kentucky by Southern Equine Stables
- 6 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 1 third, and earnings of $247,500
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Finished 2nd in the Risen Star Stakes (G2)
Sun Thunder made his points off minor placings. His last notable effort was back in February when he was 2nd in the Risen Star by a length. He has ran at Churchill Downs before in his two year old year.
ANGEL OF EMPIRE, 8-1
- (Classic Empire – Armony’s Angel, by To Honor and Serve)
- Bay colt
- Born April 9, 2020
- Trainer: Brad Cox
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Owner: Albaugh Family Stables
- Bred in Pennsylvania by Forgotten Land Investment & Black Diamond Equine
- 6 starts, 4 wins, 1 second, and earnings of $1,069,375
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Won the Arkansas Derby (G1)
- Won the Risen Star Stakes (G2)
- Finished 2nd in the Smarty Jones Stakes
Angel of Empire is sired by Classic Empire who was fourth in the 2017 Kentucky Derby. He won both derby preps that he ran in with his most recent run in the Arkansas Derby being very impressive. He was able to settle back in the pack, run four wide and close on the leaders to draw away by 4 ¼ lengths.
FORTE, 3-1
- (Violence – Queen Caroline, by Blame)
- Dark bay colt
- Born February 3, 2020
- Trainer: Todd Pletcher
- Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
- Owner: Repole Stable & St. Elias Stable
- Bred in Kentucky by South Gate Farm
- 7 starts, 6 wins, and earnings of $2,409,830
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Won the Florida Derby (G1)
- Won the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2)
2022
- Won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)
- Won the Breeders’ Futurity (G1)
- Won the Hopeful Stakes (G1)
Forte comes into the Kentucky Derby as the heavy favourite after what has been a stellar career so far. He was Champion two year old in 2022 and has been undefeated in 2023 with a very gutsy closing finish in his last race, the Florida Derby.
RAISE CAIN, 50-1
- (Violence – Lemon Belle, by Lemon Drop Kid)
- Bay colt
- Born April 7, 2020
- Trainer: Ben Colebrook
- Jockey: Gerardo Corrales
- Owner: Andrew N. Warren & Rania Warren
- Bred in Kentucky by Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds
- 7 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third, and earnings of $296,328
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Won the Gotham Stakes (G3)
2022
- Finished 2nd in the Gun Runner Stakes
- Finished 3rd in the Bowman Mill Stakes
Raise Cain had a bit of a disappointing finish when he came up 5th most recently in the Blue Grass Stakes but the prep race that got him into the derby was the Gotham Stakes and it was very impressive. In the Gotham he was able to settle off the pace and close on the leaders to then draw away and win by an astounding 7 ½ lengths. If he can go back to the performance he had that day he will be one to watch.
DERMA SOTOGAKE, 10-1
- (Mind Your Biscuits – Amour Poesie, by Neo Universe)
- Chestnut colt
- Born April 28, 2020
- Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi
- Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
- Owner: Hiroyuki Asanuma
- Bred in Japan by Shadai Farm
- 8 starts, 4 wins, 2 thirds, and earnings of $1,162,164
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Won the UAE Derby (G2)
- Finished 3rd in the Saudi Derby (G3)
2022
- Won the Zennippon Nisai Yushun
- Won the Mochinoki Sho
Derma Sotogate won the UAE Derby during the Dubai World Cup night at Meydan. He has shipped in from Japan but is sired by Mind Your Biscuits who was champion sprinter in the US before shipping to Japan to stand at stud. His pedigree is questionable for the distance but his effort in Dubai shows he might out run his pedigree here.
ROCKET CAN, 30-1
- (Into Mischief – Tension, by Tapit)
- Gray or roan colt
- Born April 28, 2020
- Trainer: Bill Mott
- Jockey: Junior Alvarado
- Owner: Frank Fletcher Racing Operations
- Bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds
- 7 starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds, and earnings of $383,413
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Won the Holy Bull Stakes (G3)
- Finished 2nd in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2)
Rocket Can won the Holy Bull Stakes back in February with a good stalking trip that he ran 4 wide the whole race and drew clear at the finish. He ran a great effort to be second in the Fountain Of Youth behind Forte but he fell short last out to be fourth in the Arkansas Derby. He will be looking to come back strong in the Kentucky Derby.
LORD MILES, SCR
- (Curlin – Lady Esme, by Majestic Warrior)
- Bay colt
- Born March 30, 2020
- Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
- Jockey: Paco Lopez
- Owner: Vegso Racing Stable
- Bred in Kentucky by Vegso Racing Stable
- 5 starts, 2 wins, 1 third, and earnings of $451,100
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Won the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2)
- Finished 3rd in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes
Lord Miles was able to improve impressively in his last start to win the Wood Memorial by a nose after a good stretch duel with Hit Show.
CONTINUAR, SCR
- Drefong – Pan de Ring, by King Kamehameha)
- Chestnut colt
- Born March 7, 2020
- Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
- Jockey: Ryusel Sakai
- Owner: Lion Race Horse Co.
- Bred in Japan by Lake Villa Farm
- 5 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third, and earnings of $337,889
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Finished 3rd in the UAE Derby (G2)
2022
- Won the Cattleya Stakes
- Finished 2nd in the Mochinoki Sho
Continuar gained entry as an invitee from the Japan road to the Kentucky Derby.
CYCLONE MISCHIEF, 30-1
- (Into Mischief – Areyoucominghere, by Bernardini)
- Bay colt
- Born April 30, 2020
- Trainer: Dale Romans
- Jockey: Joel Rosario (2)
- Owner: Albaugh Family Stables & Castleton Lyons
- Bred in Kentucky by Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate
- 7 starts, 2 wins, 3 thirds, and earnings of $246,350
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Finished 3rd in the Florida Derby (G1)
- Finished 3rd in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2)
Cyclone Mischief has drawn in from the Also Eligible list. His accumulated points were from minor placings in the preps.
MANDARIN HERO, 20-1
- (Shanghai Bobby – Namura Nadeshiko, by Fuji Kiseki)
- Dark bay colt
- Born March 20, 2020
- Trainer: Terunobu Fujita
- Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
- Owner: Hiroaki Arai
- Bred in Japan by Hirano Bokujo
- 6 starts, 4 wins, 2 seconds, and earnings of $386,854
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Finished 2nd in the Santa Anita Derby (G1)
- Finished 2nd in the Kumotori Sho
2022
- Won the Haiseiko Kinen
Mandarin Hero drew in off the Also Eligible list and could be a serious factor in the race. He showed a very gutsy finish in the Santa Anita Derby to finish second by a head with a great closing kick. He will be one to watch.
KING RUSSELL, 50-1
- (Creative Cause – Believe You Will, by Proud Citizen)
- Grey colt
- Born February 8, 2020
- Trainer: Ron Moquett
- Jockey: Rafael Bejarano
- Owner: Jones, Brereton C and Naber Racing LLC
- Bred in Kentucky by Brereton. C Jones
- 6 starts, 1 win, 3 seconds, and earnings of $322,350
Stakes Wins/Places
2023
- Finished 2nd in the Arkansas Derby (G1)
King Russell was the last candidate to draw in off the Also Eligible list. He broke his maiden 2 starts back and showed an impressive finish in the Arkansas Derby to place 2nd
