The Kentucky Derby is fast approaching and everyone is buzzing with excitement. As the biggest horse racing event of the year, the Kentucky Derby brings together the best three-year-old thoroughbreds from around the world to compete for the coveted Garland of Roses.
As the countdown to the big day continues, horse racing fans and casual spectators alike are curious as to who the top contenders are. With the number of foals competing, predicting who will emerge victorious can be difficult.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the top five horses slated to compete in the upcoming Kentucky Derby. These horses have impressive track records resulting from their rigorous training and preparation, making them strong contenders for the highly anticipated Derby.
Strong
Forte is one of Kentucky’s finest Derby chooses 2023. He has won five of his six starts overall. This indicates a high level of skill, talent and consistency. Right now, the brown colt is a solid favorite to win the Kentucky Derby.
The colt’s racing style is a stalker. The one that usually sits just behind the early leaders and then makes a move in the later stages of the race.
This style can be effective in longer races like the Kentucky Derby, where the pace is usually quite fast at the start. Another notable thing about Forte is her pedigree. His sire is Violence, an American racehorse who has won several levels of stakes, winning the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity and the Grade 2 Nashua Stakes.
Forte’s dam is Queen Caroline, a famous multi-stakes winner. With such an impressive pedigree and consistent performance on the circuit, Forte certainly has the potential to win the Kentucky Derby.
Practical move
Practical Move hit a speed figure of 100 Beyer in the G2 San Felipe Stakes triumph at Santa Anita, advancing him as a potential contender for the 2023 Kentucky Derby. The colt impressed many racing enthusiasts and experts with his speed and determination, which bodes well for his future in the sport.
With this significant win under their belt, Practical Move has undoubtedly captured the attention of the horse racing world and is now considered one of the rising stars in the industry. It will be interesting to see how Practical Move progresses and if they can continue their exploits leading to the Kentucky Derby.
Although the Derby is known for its unpredictability, with many upsets and surprise winners throughout history, Practical Move’s current form and potential suggest they could be a formidable contender.
Two Phil
After a Jeff Ruby Steaks win, Two Phil’s secured a spot in the Kentucky Derby. The ever consistent chestnut colt is bound for Hawthorne and trained by Larry Rivelli for the upcoming Kentucky Derby.
The Hawthorne Track is a great place to train and race horses, so Two Phil’s will have plenty of opportunities to prepare for the big day. Other than that, the colt’s pedigree is undeniably impressive.
His sire is Hard Spun, a premier racehorse and winner of multiple graded stakes who won the Grade 1 King’s Bishop Stakes and Grade 2 Lane’s End Stakes. Hard Spun finished second in the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2007.
Two Phil’s dam is Mia Torri, a successful racehorse. With such a pedigree, Two Phil’s certainly has the potential to be a top-class racehorse himself.
Kingsbarns
Kingsbarns earned 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points after winning the million dollar Louisiana Derby.
The victory secures the three-year-old colt a place in the Kentucky Derby starting grid on May 6. As well as his notable Louisiana Derby victory, Kingsbarns has a strong pedigree, sired by famed stallion Uncle Mo and out of mare Beltisaal.
Kingsbarns has also steadily improved throughout his racing career, demonstrating his ability to handle different track conditions and distances. Plus, Kingsbarns has a great team behind him, trained by none other than Todd Pletcher and ridden by talented jockey Flavien Prat.
All of these factors make Kingsbarns a serious contender for the Kentucky Derby, and many racing fans and pundits are excited to see how he performs in the race.
Carpet Trice
Tapit Trice is a promising three-year-old who has shown potential on the tour. His victory in the Tampa Bay Derby is truly an achievement; despite his slow break, he still managed to get ahead of his competitors in the final stage of the race . From now on, he will have the opportunity to participate in the Kentucky Derby, one of the most prestigious horse races in the world.
Sired by the winner of several Tapit Stakes, Tapit Trice carries a strong lineage in the race, which could give him an edge over his competitors.
Conclusion
The Kentucky Derby is one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world, and it’s always exciting to see the top contenders vying for the coveted prize. This year’s race promises to be no exception, with several impressive horses expected.