Kentucky Derby 2023: What to know in regards to the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown

The Kentucky Derby is probably the most well-known horse race within the sport and it’s the first occasion to start the Triple Crown. The race is again for its 149th operating on Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

Much like final yr, legendary coach Bob Baffert won’t be allowed on the monitor. Baffert is sitting out a second straight Derby as a result of Churchill Downs Inc. banned him when his 2021 winner Medina Spirit failed a post-race drug check. The thoroughbred examined optimistic for an anti-inflammatory treatment.

“I’ve simply moved on,” Baffert advised The Associated Press in an interview earlier than the Derby.

“There’s no extra thrilling second when you may have a horse that has an opportunity to win the Derby.”

A lady holds a horse after an early-morning exercise at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Louisville. The 149th operating of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 6. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Baffert’s absence isn’t the one cloud across the occasion.

Churchill Downs launched an investigation into the deaths of 4 horses on the monitor. Two horses skilled by Saffie Joseph Jr. collapsed on the monitor and died over the previous week. Two others additionally died because of both racing or coaching. Joseph is ready to run Lord Miles in Saturday’s race.

HISTORICAL AND MEMORABLE KENTUCKY DERBY RACES FROM 1875 AND ON

“While a collection of occasions like that is extremely uncommon, it’s fully unacceptable,” Churchill Downs stated in an announcement. “We take this very significantly and acknowledge that these troubling incidents are alarming and have to be addressed. We really feel an incredible accountability to our followers, the individuals in our sport and your entire business to be a pacesetter in security and proceed to make vital investments to get rid of threat to our athletes.”

The Kentucky Derby has by no means been canceled. The occasion was postponed by World War II and by the coronavirus pandemic however has nonetheless gone off with out a hitch since 1875.

Here’s what else it’s good to know in regards to the gates drop at Churchill Downs.

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Who is racing and what are the betting odds?

Irad Ortiz Jr. rides Forte to victory in the course of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile race at Keenelend Race Course, Nov. 4, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

1. Hit Show (Manny Franco) 30-1
2. Verifying (Tyler Gaffalione) 15-1)
3. Two Phil’s (Jareth Loveberry) 12-1
4. Confidence Game (James Graham) 20-1
5. Tapit Trice (Luis Saez) 5-1
6. Kingsbarns (Jose L. Ortiz) 12-1
7. Reincarnate (John R. Velazquiez) 50-1
8. Mage (Javier Castellano) 15-1
9. Skinner (Juan J. Hernandez) 20-1
10. Practical Move (Ramon A. Vazquez) 10-1
11. Disarm (Joel Rosario) 30-1
12. Jace’s Road (Florent Geroux) 50-1
13. Sun Thunder (Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr.) 50-1
14. Angel of Empire (Flavien Prat) 8-1
15. Forte (Irad Ortiz Jr) 3-1
16. Raise Cain (Gerardo Corrales) 50-1
17. Derma Sotogake (Christopher Lemaire) 10-1
18. Rocket Can (Junior Alvarado) 30-1
19. Lord Miles (Paco Lopez) 30-1
20. Continuar (Ryusei Sakai) 50-1
21. Cyclone Mischief (Joel Rosario probably) 30-1
22. Mandarin Hero (Kazushi Kimura) 20-1
23. King Russell (Rafael Bejarano) 50-1

Who are the favorites to win?

Rich Strike, with Sonny Leon aboard, wins the 148th operating of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, May 7, 2022, in Louisville. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Forte entered the Kentucky Derby as a 3-1 favourite to win. Todd Pletcher’s horse led the Derby qualifying path and drew the No. 15 publish. Forte received six of seven begins, together with final month’s Florida Derby.

Last yr, Sonny Leon rode Rich Strike to an unbelievable upset. The horse was an 80-1 lengthy shot and pulled off one of many greatest stunners within the occasion’s historical past. The horse was bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm and is owned by Richard Dawson’s RED TR-Racing, LLC. Eric Reed is the coach.

How to look at?

• Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
• When: May 6, 2023
• Projected Post Time: 6:57 p.m. EET
• TV: NBC/NBCSports.com
• Purse: $3 million