Kentucky Derby Draw Results, Updating Betting Odds

A full field of 20 was entered in the opening jewel of the Triple Crown at Churchill Downs. Trainer Todd Pletcher has the two top horse race betting choices in Forte (post 15) and Tapit’s Trice (post No. 5, 5-1). He also has the potential early pacesetter Kingsbarns, who drew post No. 6. 

Forte is 2-for-2 in his Derby preps, including a late-running victory in the Florida Derby last time out. Tapit Trice also won both his prep races, the Tampa Bay Derby and Blue Grass Stakes.

The post-position draw wasn’t as kind to trainer Brad Cox, who has four horses in the field. While third-betting choice Angel of Empire  (8-1) drew fine with the No. 14 post, Hit Show landed the dreaded No. 1 post and Verifying will start next door from No, 2. The inside posts are far more difficult to maneuver from in a congested 20-horse field and no horse has won the Derby from either post since 1986.

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The two Japanese-based horses in the field both drew outside posts. Derma Sotogake, the runaway winner of the UAE Derby in Dubai, starts from post 17 and is the fourth betting choice at 10-1. Country-mate Continuar starts from post 20, the outermost gate.

Three horses who didn’t qualify for the field on points, Cyclone Mischief, Mandarin Hero and King Russell, were placed on the also-eligible list and will need at least one horse to be scratched to enter the race. That’s how Derby winner Rich Strike made the field last year. 

Post positions were also drawn on Monday for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks, with Wet Paint, winner of three consecutive stakes at Oaklawn Park, the 5-2 morning-line favorite in a field of 14 fillies.

The 2023 Kentucky Derby field in post position order: