2023 Kentucky Derby Odds


Last Updated

Mage was the winner of the 2023 Kentucky Derby, which took place on Saturday, May 6, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. This was the 149th running of the iconic race, which is often referred to as the “most exciting two minutes in sports,” as the best 3-year-old thoroughbreds on the planet battle it out over 1 1/4 miles. This page covers the details on the biggest horse race of the year, along with information about the latest Kentucky Derby odds.

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2023 Kentucky Derby odds

Here’s a look at the full field organized by favorite along with the final betting odds for the 2023 Kentucky Derby.

PositionHorseFinal oddsOpening odds
14Angel of Empire7-28-1
5Tapit Trice9-25-1
17Derma Sotogake8-110-1
3Two Phil’s9-112-1
6Kingsbarns11-112-1
7Reincarnate13-150-1
2Verifying15-115-1
8Mage15-115-1
4Confidence Game17-120-1
22Mandarin Hero20-120-1
11Disarm24-130-1
1Hit Show25-130-1
18Rocket Can27-115-1
13Sun Thunder29-150-1
16Raise Cain29-115-1
21Cyclone Mischief29-130-1
12Jace’s Road30-115-1
23King Russell30-150-1
15ForteSCRATCHEDSCRATCHED
9SkinnerSCRATCHEDSCRATCHED
20ContinuarSCRATCHEDSCRATCHED
10Practical MoveSCRATCHEDSCRATCHED
19Lord MilesSCRATCHEDSCRATCHED
Odds from FanDuel Racing

Horses for the 2023 Kentucky Derby

Here’s a look back at the final points standings for the Road to the Kentucky Derby in 2023.

HorseTrainerDerby points
ForteTodd Pletcher190
Practical MoveTim Yakteen160
Angel of EmpireBrad Cox154
Tapit TriceTodd Pletcher150
Two Phil’sLarry Rivelli123
Lord MilesSaffie A. Joseph Jr.105
Derma Sotogake (JPN)Hidetaka Otonashi100
KingsbarnsTodd Pletcher100
Raise CainBen Colebrook64
Hit ShowBrad Cox60
Rocket CanWilliam Mott60
Confidence GameJ. Keith Desormeaux57
Sun ThunderKenneth McPeak54
VerifyingBrad Cox54
MageGustavo Delgado50
DisarmSteven Asmussen46
ReincarnateTim Yakteen45
SkinnerJohn A. Shirreffs45
Jace’s RoadBrad H. Cox45
Continuar (JPN)Yoshito YahagiInvite
AE – Cyclone MischiefDale L. Romans45
AE – Mandarin Hero (JPN)Terunobu Fujita40
AE – King RussellRon Moquett40

2023 Kentucky Derby favorites

Morning line odds for the 2023 Kentucky Derby were released on Monday, May 1. Just three horses had odds of less than 10-1.

Forte was scratched on the morning of the race, leaving Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire as the presumptive favorites. Beyond the top three in betting odds, the remainder of the field fell into tiers on the odds board.

A total of five horses were scratched in advance of the race, which left the field with 18 entrants.

In addition to the prep races, Kentucky Derby future wager pools also offer a look ahead at the betting interest in the horses that are expected to be in the field. There were six pools in total for this season. The first concluded on Nov. 3, 2022, while the last ran from March 30 through April 1. Here were the top six options at the time of closing.

Kentucky Derby favorites last updated: May 6, 2023

What do the Kentucky Derby odds mean?

The oddsmaker will consider a number of factors when setting the morning line. Any odds that come out for the Derby in advance of the draw are speculative, but they can serve as a ballpark guide of what to expect. These odds are not indicative of the oddsmakers’ opinions on each horse. Rather, their purpose is to act as a guess of how the public will wager prior to the race. Additionally, the morning line odds are not final. You can expect to see shifts in the numbers right up to post time. The more money people wager on a horse, the lower its odds, and vice versa.

What goes into the lines for the Kentucky Derby?

Once the field is set for the Derby, there will be a draw to determine post position for all participants in the race. The morning line odds for all entrants will come out several days in advance. The oddsmakers will consider a number of factors when setting the lines, such as the following:

Any odds that come out for the Derby in advance of the draw are speculative, but they can serve as a ballpark guide of what to expect. After the lines are out, it’s time for bettors to digest and make their guesses. You can expect to see shifts in the numbers right up to post time.

Prep races leading up to the Kentucky Derby

Each prep race on the road to the Kentucky Derby awards points to the top four finishers. The top 20 horses clinch spots in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. Here are the details on these races, which started in September when these horses were 2-year-olds.

DateRaceTrackWinnerJockey/TrainerOdds
Sept. 17, 2022IroquoisChurchill DownsCurly JackMorales/Amoss10-1
Sept. 24, 2022Juddmonte Royal LodgeNewmarketThe FoxesProbert/Balding17-2
Sept. 24, 2022Alan Smurfit Memorial BeresfordCurraghCrypto ForceKeane/O’Callaghan15-2
Oct. 1, 2022ChampagneBelmont At The Big ABlazing SevensPrat/Brown8-1
Oct. 2, 2022Qatar Prix Jean-Luc LagardereLongchampBelbekBarzalona/Fabre16-1
Oct. 8, 2022American PharoahSanta Anita ParkCave RockHernandez/Baffert2-5
Oct. 8, 2022Breeders’ FuturityKeenelandForteOrtiz Jr./Pletcher4-1
Oct. 22, 2022Vertem Futurity TrophyDoncasterAuguste RodinMoore/O’Brien9-4
Nov. 4, 2022Breeders’ Cup JuvenileKeenelandForteOrtiz Jr./Pletcher5-1
Nov. 26, 2022Kentucky Jockey ClubChurchill DownsInstant CoffeeSaez/Cox3-2
Nov. 26, 2022CattleyaTokyo RacecourseContinuarLane/Yahagi3.9-1
Dec. 3, 2022RemsenAqueductDubyuhnellOrtiz/Gargan4-1
Dec. 14, 2022Zen-Nippon Nisai YushunKawasakiDerma SotogakeMatsuwaka/Otonashi11-2
Dec. 17, 2022Los Alamitos FuturityLos Alamitos Race CoursePractical MoveVazquez/Yakteen8-1
Dec. 17, 2022Springboard MileRemington ParkWildatlanticstormGoncalves/Ashford Jr.6-1
Dec. 26, 2022Gun RunnerFair GroundsJace’s RoadGeroux/Cox2-1
Jan. 1, 2023Smarty JonesOaklawn ParkVictory FormationPrat/Cox3-5
Jan. 7, 2023JeromeAqueductLugan KnightDavis/McCarthy7-2
Jan. 8, 2023ShamSanta Anita ParkReincarnateHernandez/Baffert16-1
Jan. 21, 2023LecomteFair GroundsInstant CoffeeSaez/Cox6-5
Jan. 28, 2023SouthwestOaklawn ParkArabian KnightVelazquez/Baffert2-5
Feb. 4, 2023Holy BullGulfstream ParkRocket CanAlvarado/Mott5-2
Feb. 4, 2023Robert B. LewisSanta Anita ParkNewgateDettori/Baffert1-1
Feb. 11, 2023WithersAqueductHit ShowFranco/Cox6-5
Feb. 11, 2023Sam F. DavisTampa Bay DownsLitigateSaez/Pletcher5-2
Feb. 11, 2023El Camino Real DerbyGolden Gate FieldsChase the ChaosAyuso/Moger Jr.4-1
Feb. 18, 2023Risen StarFair GroundsAngel of EmpireSaez/Cox13-1
Feb. 19, 2023HyacinthTokyo RacecoursePerriereFukunaga/Kuroiwa10-11
Feb. 25, 2023RebelOaklawn ParkConfidence GameGraham/Desormeaux18-1
March 3, 2023PattonDundalkCairoMoore/O’Brien2-5
March 4, 2023Fountain of YouthGulfstream ParkForteOrtiz Jr./Pletcher1-2
March 4, 2023GothamAqueductRaise CainLezcano/Colebrook23-1
March 4, 2023San FelipeSanta AnitaPractical MoveVazquez/Yakteen4-1
March 4, 2023John Battaglia MemorialTurfway ParkCongruentLeon/Sano16-1
March 11, 2023Tampa Bay DerbyTampa Bay DownsTapit TriceSaez/Pletcher1-2
March 15, 2023Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition StakesKempton ParkBrave EmperorMorris/Watson9-5
March 25, 2023UAE DerbyMeydan RacecourseDerma SotogakeLemaire/Otonashi10-1
March 25, 2023Louisiana DerbyFair GroundsKingsbarnsPrat/Pletcher9-2
March 25, 2023Jeff Ruby SteaksTurfway ParkTwo Phil’sLoveberry/Rivelli5-2
March 25, 2023FukuryuNakayamaMitono OKowata/Maki3-2
March 26, 2023Sunland DerbySunland ParkWild on IceTohill/Marr35-1

The most prominent prep races award 100 points to winners and 40 points to runners-up. Both of these totals ensure Derby spots for the top two finishers of these races:

Kentucky Derby history

The Kentucky Derby first took place in 1875 and has been an annual event since. Aristides was the inaugural winner, clocking in at 2:37.75 over 1½ miles. The race evolved in the years that followed, with the length changing to 1¼ miles in 1896, where it remains to this day.

The race typically takes place on the first Saturday in May and serves as the first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. Derby winners tend to become favorites for the next two legs — the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes — but turning the trick of winning all three races has proven to be a difficult achievement.

To date, it has happened just 13 times, most recently by Justify in 2018. Secretariat holds the all-time speed record for the mile-and-a-quarter race at Churchill with a blistering time of 1:59.4 in 1973. Bob Baffert and Ben A. Jones are tied for the most Derby wins for a trainer with six, while Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack share the lead for jockeys with five wins apiece.

2022 Kentucky Derby recap

History happened at the 2022 Kentucky Derby, as the second-largest long shot in the history of the event, behind only 91-1 Donerail in 1913, went on to win. Rich Strike stormed to the lead down the stretch to claim victory at odds of 80-1. Even more amazingly, the horse was only in the field due to the scratch of Ethereal Road the previous day.

At post time, Epicenter and Taiba were the co-favorites at 5-1, followed by Messier at 7-1. Summer is Tomorrow took the early lead, while Messier and Epicenter battled for control at the 3/4-mile mark. Down the stretch, Rich Strike pulled off an improbable rally from 15th place to snatch the victory. Epicenter finished in second, followed by Zandon in third.

FinishHorseJockey/TrainerPostML OddsFinal OddsTimeWinnings
1Rich StrikeLeon/Reed2130-180-12:02.61$1,860,000
2EpicenterRosario/Asmussen37-25-13/4 length$600,000
3ZandonPrat/Brown103-18-11 1/2 lengths$300,000
4SimplificationOrtiz/Sano1320-140-13 1/2 lengths$150,000
5Mo DonegalOrtiz Jr./Pletcher110-18-13 3/4 lengths$90,000
6Barber RoadGutierrez/Ortiz1430-140-14 3/4 lengths
7Tawny PortSantana Jr./Cox1830-167-14 3/4 lengths
8Smile HappyLanerie/McPeek520-114-110 lengths
9Tiz the BombHernandez Jr./McPeek930-125-112 1/2 lengths
10ZozosFranco/Cox1920-139-115 3/4 lengths
11Classic CausewayLeparoux/Lynch1730-167-117 lengths
12TaibaSmith/Yakteen1212-15-117 3/4 lengths
13Crown PrideLemaire/Shintani720-117-118 1/4 lengths
14Happy JackBejarano/O’Neill230-121-119 lengths
15MessierVelazquez/Yakteen68-17-119 lengths
16White AbarrioGaffalione/Joseph Jr.1510-111-119 3/4 lengths
17Charge ItSaez/Pletcher820-113-127 3/4 lengths
18CyberknifeGeroux/Cox1620-114-142 1/2 lengths
19Pioneer of MedinaBravo/Pletcher1130-147-156 3/4 lengths
20Summer is TomorrowBarzalona/Seemar430-142-164 1/4 lengths

The surprise at the top of the board led to some hefty payouts for winning bettors. Here’s how it all shook out.

Kentucky Derby FAQ

When is the Kentucky Derby?

The next Kentucky Derby takes place on May 4, 2024, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race traditionally happens on the first Saturday in May.

How many horses run in the race?

Recently, the race has set the maximum at 20. The first race saw 15 horses, and the number has varied over the race’s history.

How much does the winner of the Kentucky Derby receive?

The overall purse for the Kentucky Derby is $3 million, with the winner landing the first prize of $1,860,000. The inaugural winner in 1875 received $2,850.

When is post time?

The 2023 Kentucky Derby went off at 6:57 p.m. ET, the 12th of 14 races at Churchill Downs that day. The doors open at 8 a.m. ET, allowing fans to take in the all-day experience.

How much are Kentucky Derby tickets?

General admission tickets for the Kentucky Derby go on sale online in November, starting at $60. As the date for the race nears, the tickets increase in price to $75 to $80, while purchasing a ticket on the day of the race itself will cost $85.

How long does the Kentucky Derby last?

Historically, the Kentucky Derby has lasted just a little more than two minutes, ever since the move to 1.25 miles in 1896, which is where the phrase “the most exciting two minutes in sports” comes from.

Who was the fastest horse to win the Kentucky Derby?

Secretariat set the record for the fastest time in Kentucky Derby history in 1973 with a finish of 1:59.40. Monarchos is second with a time of 1:59.97 in 2001.

Which jockeys/trainers have the most wins?

Eddie Arcaro and Bill Hartack are tied for the most wins as jockeys, each crossing the line first on five occasions. Bob Baffert and Ben A. Jones share the lead for trainers with six victories.