The Kentucky Derby, also known as the “Run for the Roses,” is one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated events in the world of horse racing. It’s a race that has captured the attention of millions of fans across the globe.
The race features three-year-old thoroughbreds competing at the Churchill Downs racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky, for a chance to take home the coveted prize and become a part of racing history. As the anticipation builds up for the Kentucky Derby, the prep races leading up to the event provide a glimpse into which horses have the potential to emerge as top contenders.
In this article, let’s look at five horses worth watching in the upcoming prep races. Whether you are a seasoned horse racing enthusiast or a casual fan, this guide will provide valuable information and insights as we journey to the Kentucky Derby.
Forte
Trained by Todd Pletcher (two-time Kentucky Derby winner), Forte is the current favorite to win the biggest jewel on the horse racing calendar. The impressive colt has swept three important races in the horse racing world: the Hopeful Stakes, Breeder’s Futurity, and Breeder’s Cup Juvenile.
Forte is a horse that can idle behind front-runners and power through his way to victory. Working in the colt’s favor is that a few thoroughbreds in the race run on the front end.
And this should help jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. make the horse’s signature move to pass his competition on the far turn as the front-runners weaken. As he prepares for his final prep race, Forte is a sure favorite for America’s biggest race. So, bet Kentucky Derby 2023 odds-on-favorite and get the most out of an exciting race.
Tapit Trice
Another Todd Pletcher-trained horse to watch out for is Tapit Trice. The three-year-old colt won the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs last March 11. Not only did Tapit Trice grab the massive $360,000 prize, but he also earned fifty points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby 2023.
The colt is an off-the-pace runner who favors one sustained late rally. This running style can be risky, as the colt may get boxed in or caught behind a slow pace, but it can also allow the colt to avoid early trouble and make a strong late surge to the finish line.
Practical Move
Practical Move is a promising contender for the 2023 Kentucky Derby, earning fifty qualifying points by winning the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes. The three-year-old colt is very heedful to pace.
Being aware of pace is an essential attribute for a horse in horse racing as it allows them to conserve their energy and make strategic moves during the race. If Practical Move continues to perform well in upcoming prep races and maintains its focus on pace, it could potentially be a strong contender for the Kentucky Derby.
Hit Show
Hit Show, trained by Brad Cox, has earned twenty qualifying points towards the 2023 Kentucky Derby with the $250,000 Withers Stakes win. It’s a significant achievement and shows that Hit Show has the potential to compete at a high level in the upcoming Kentucky Derby.
It will be interesting to see how Hit Show performs in future races leading up to the Kentucky Derby and whether he can continue accumulating qualifying points. If the colt can maintain its winning form, he could be a strong contender in the Kentucky Derby.
Two Phil’s
Earning 123 qualifying points for the 2023 Kentucky Derby, the colt sits at the top of the leaderboard. Accumulating such a significant number of qualifying points is a testament to Two Phil’s talent and consistency in racing.
Trainer Larry Riveli plans to spend the next few weeks at Hawthorne to prepare for the Derby. Larry Rivelli is committed to ensuring that the horse is in top form for the unique challenges of the Kentucky Derby.
With Larry Rivelli’s experience and success as a trainer, there’s no doubt that Two Phil’s is in good hands. It will be interesting to see how the horse performs in the Kentucky Derby, especially with such a significant lead in qualifying points.
If Two Phil’s can maintain its current form and perform well in upcoming races, he could be a strong contender for the Kentucky Derby and potentially win.
Takeaway
The Road to the Kentucky Derby is always an exciting time in horse racing. With so many talented horses vying for a chance to compete in the prestigious event, predicting which horses will come out on top can be difficult.
But these five horses have shown promise and potential in their recent races. As they continue to compete in upcoming prep races, we’ll better understand their abilities and whether they have what it takes to compete in the Kentucky Derby.
