Kentucky Derby 2023 Kentucky Derby Top 20 Rankings 4/10/23: Did Tapit Trice, Practical Move, Or Lord Miles Unseat Forte? April 11, 2023 Practical Move (right) winning the Santa Anita Derby over Mandarin Hero (middle) & Skinner (Lindsay Affleck) Kentucky Derby 2023 Kentucky Derby Top 20 Rankings 4/10/23: Did Tapit Trice, Practical Move, Or Lord Miles Unseat Forte? April 11, 2023 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article Welcome to the 2023 Kentucky Derby Rankings! Each week leading up to the race, we will provide our Top 20 Kentucky Derby Prospects, as well as updates with the latest news on each horse. Visit our Kentucky Derby page for the latest news, rankings, prep race schedules, the Kentucky Derby point standings, and much more! Did any of last weekend’s winning horses – Tapit Trice, Practical Move, or Lord Miles – do enough to unseat Forte, who’s been the top pick since Aaron’s 2023 Kentucky Derby contender rankings debuted? With less than 4 weeks until the biggest day in American horse racing, is the main event picture finally becoming clearer? Tell us YOUR thoughts in the Comments section! SMASH the *Thumbs Up* ~ HIT *Subscribe* ~ RING the *Notification* bell 1. Tapit Trice Pros: Four solid wins in a row; outstanding pedigree; long stride Cons: Still a little behind from a timing standpoint; fairly green Outlook: He did exactly what he needed to do in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) with an impressive win. His running style in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) was not ideal; however, he was able to sit mid-pack, and ranged up to third up the backside, which put him in perfect position. If he gets that kind of trip in the Kentucky Derby (G1), then he will be ultra-tough to hold off down the stretch. 2. Derma Sotogake Pros: Japan is on a roll international; visually impressive win in the UAE Derby (G2) Cons: UAE Derby horses have had zero success in the Kentucky Derby (G1) Outlook: We’ll see if this horse can break the trend of UAE Derby (G2) runners making no impact in the Kentucky Derby (G1). He was very impressive in that victory, but others have been in the past as well. Japan is going to win this race one day and it could be sooner than we think. You simply cannot ignore how well his countryman Mandarin Hero did in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) to get second by a nose, either. 3. Forte Pros: Five stakes victories; has passed every test Cons: Beyers have regressed Outlook: His latest victory in the Florida Derby (G1) opened the door for someone to move up to the top spot. He just keeps winning, but his speed figures are regressing, which is concerning. He’s still a top contender, but at a short price, he might be a little sketchy. 4. Two Phil’s Pros: Consistent horse; 101 Beyer in Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) romp Cons: Hasn’t been able to finish the job on dirt Outlook: If the Kentucky Derby (G1) was run synthetic he’d probably be the favorite after a romp in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park. His 101 Beyer in that race is the fastest of any 3-year-old colt this season; however, he hasn’t been able to finish the job in a couple of dirt stakes races. Still, his talent is there, and you have to love how consistent he has been. 5. Kingsbarns Pros: Three for three to start his career; solid pedigree; improving with every race Cons: Speed figures still need small improvement; no races as a 2-year-old Outlook: He looks to be developing into a monster after an ultra-impressive romp in the Louisiana Derby (G2). His lack of experience is still going to be an issue; however, he has the running style that you like to see for the Kentucky Derby. 6. Practical Move Pros: Three impressive prep wins in row in Southern California Cons: Questionable pedigree; didn’t look quite as sharp stretching out to 1 1/8 miles Outlook: His win in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) was impressive; however, he didn’t have the same kick that he did in the San Felipe Stakes (G2). The distance of the Kentucky Derby (G1) is going to be tough for him and he has had perfect trips in his last 2 starts, another thing that will likely not happen in Kentucky. 7. Angel of Empire Pros: Solid turn of foot; Brad Cox; the longer the better; two straight victories Cons: Low speed figures; running style might hurt him in the Kentucky Derby Outlook: You have to give him credit for back to back solid victories in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1). He seems to be getting better with each start, while the longer the distance the better for this horse. He now looks to be the best Cox horse coming into the Kentucky Derby (G1). 8. Verifying Pros: Has numbers that are comparable to the top horses in the crop Cons: Several losses on the resume; inconsistent Outlook: He improved greatly in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1); however, he still came up just short. That type of effort will give him a chance in the Kentucky Derby (G1), but he still will be hard-pressed to hold off some of the closers as they stretch out in distance. 9. Mage Pros: Progressing with each race; competitive with our #1 horse Cons: Behind from a timing standpoint with no races as a 2-year-old; trouble breaking from the gate Outlook: He has proven to be a tough horse, running well in 2 stakes races despite getting poor trips in both. His troubles at the gate will make for another brutal trip in the Kentucky Derby (G1), though, which is a big worry. 10. Confidence Game Pros: Solid progression; proven to be versatile Cons: Best race came in the slop; speed figures are still lacking. Outlook: His Rebel Stakes (G2) victory was an eye-opener, while he proved that a sloppy track is not a problem for him. He still needs to improve to be a strong contender; however, he seems to be improving. We’ll see him this weekend in the Lexington Stakes (G3). 2024 Kentucky Derby 11. Reincarnate Pros: Never finished off the board; distance shouldn’t be a problem Cons: Speed figures are still a bit low; several losses on the resume; never won off the lead; seems one paced. Outlook: He made no progression whatsoever in the Arkansas Derby (G1) despite a perfect trip. After that effort, it looks like he might just be a tad bit behind the top horses in this crop. 12. Hit Show Pros: Solid turn of foot; Brad Cox; solid pedigree Cons: Hasn’t beaten much; speed figures are a touch low Outlook: This one seems to be developing nicely with each start. His win in the Withers Stakes (G3) was visually impressive, even though the competition may have been light. Despite a poor post in the Wood Memorial (G2), he was still able to get second, and came within a nose of winning. 13. Wild On Ice Pros: Won the Sunland Derby (G3) Cons: Seems to be a few notches below the top horses from a speed figure standpoint. Outlook: He reminds me a bit of Rich Strike from last year. His speed figures are low, he looks to be a cut below, but he comes with a nice run down the lane each race. If we see another pace meltdown, he might be the shocking horse who can pick up the pieces. 14. Jace’s Road Pros: Runs well on dry tracks; solid trainer; good running style Cons: Low speed figures; seems to be a cut below Outlook: If the track is dry, then you can count on him to show up with a solid effort. He has a nice stalking running style; however, he wasn’t able to gain on the winner in the Louisiana Derby (G2). He looks to be a cut below the top horses. 15. Rocket Can Pros: Won the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) despite running wide throughout; excellent pedigree; solid second in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). Cons: Beyers are still low; lacks a huge turn of foot; didn’t run well in the Arkansas Derby (G1). Outlook: He looked to be heading in the right direction; however, his effort in the Arkansas Derby (G1) was not great. He might just be a one-paced horse who is a cut below the top of this crop. Cash Big At The Kentucky Derby With Us There’s a reason we’re the #1 trusted source for premium racing picks & info. Find Out Why 16. Lord Miles Pros: Improved greatly to win the Wood Memorial (G2) Cons: Hadn’t shown much before his win at Aqueduct. Outlook: Give him credit for improving at the right time and beating a suspect Wood Memorial (G2) field at Aqueduct. However, we’ll need to see more improvement from him if he can do the same thing in Kentucky. 17. Sun Thunder Pros: Consistent horse; solid pedigree Cons: Low numbers; running style; failed to win several prep races Outlook: He has earned a spot into the Kentucky Derby with several on-the-board finishes throughout the prep season; however, he hasn’t been able to actually win any of them. It’ll be hard to change that trend in the Kentucky Derby (G1). 18. Continuar Pros: Japanese horses have been dangerous in big international races Cons: Was no match for the top two horses in the UAE Derby (G2) Outlook: He has shown some talent on the international level but has failed to get the job done against the top talent. His experience is good enough to think he will come over and run ok, though. 19. Blazing Sevens Pros: Improved in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) Cons: Has always been a cut below the best horses in the crop Outlook: He improved enough in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) to finish third, which gets him in the gate. We’ll need to see a lot more improvement for him to make an impact in the big one, though. 20. Raise Cain Pros: Impressive close to win the Gotham Stakes (G3) Cons: Low numbers; running style; beaten by several horses on the trail; nowhere close in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) Outlook: He has earned a spot into the Kentucky Derby with a win in the Gotham Stakes (G3); however, that race set up perfectly for him. He made no impact in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1). Join the Inner Circle Sign up for exclusive 10% discount on orders, plus be the first to access our daily free and premium horse racing picks, articles, podcasts, and more! Sign Up
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More