Forte Emerges as Early 2023 Kentucky Derby Betting Favorite

At the onset of Kentucky Derby betting is the recognition that it is the year’s biggest race.  The Kentucky Derby is all about tradition, history, and ritual.  On the first Saturday of May, Churchill Downs is the focal point of the racing world.  And the famed “Run for the Roses” takes place.  Certainly, the Kentucky Derby is the one race everyone wants to win.  Most owners, trainers, and jockeys would trade all other wins for one Kentucky Derby.  This year Derby Day is May 7, 2023.  And it will be the horse race everyone bets on and watches.

2023 Kentucky Derby

Date:  Saturday, May 7, 2023

Location:  Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky

2023 Kentucky Derby CashBet Odds:   Forte 10/1, Blazing Sevens 37/1, Instant Coffee 35/1, Practical Move 99/1, Loggins 19/1, Mr. Ripple 99/1, Curly Jack 100/1, Jace’s Road 90/1, Dubyuhnell 90/1, Verifying 74/1, Artic Arrogance 125/1, Raise Cain 150/1

2023 Kentucky Derby Overview

The Kentucky Derby is run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.  It is the biggest and most famous top online sportsbook horse race held at the sport’s most famous venue.  The race is run on a dirt surface and is one and one-quarter miles in length.  Only 3-year-old horses can run.  All turns are left, and the purse is $3 million US.

Betting Factors of the Kentucky Derby

At the onset, gamblers must consider the casual sector that disproportionately influences Kentucky Derby bets.  The Kentucky Derby draws millions of fans and bettors that will only bet on the Kentucky Derby and no other horse race for the entire year.  Thus, a significant amount of ignorant money is wagered on Derby Day.

Naturally, much Kentucky Derby betting is based on the media favorite.  The casual sector will consistently bet the favorite based on its comfort zone.  Squares don’t want to bet horses down the board out of fear that they can’t win.  As a result, they will pay more than what is necessary for the favorite.  Time and again, the choice is consistently overpriced at the Kentucky Derby.  In like manner to other sports, the Kentucky Derby is based on name-brand recognition.

The Value Factor

Cause by the top names are overvalued, it is often a challenge to assess the actual price of the Kentucky Derby horses.  Sharps will look down the board at quality horses that bring a better price.  Wise Guys rarely bet on the public favorite at the Kentucky Derby, knowing that the chalk is priced far higher than it should be.  So, when betting on the Kentucky Derby, the most important handicapping job is assessing the price point of each horse.

Gamblers who play the chalk will tie those bets in with other horses down the board to try and maximize the profit potential.  Otherwise, betting on the chalk is often not worth it because of the lack of return.

Forte Opens as Kentucky Derby Favorite

At the beginning, Forte opened the 2023 Kentucky Derby prep race season as the top choice of gamblers to win the Run for the Roses.  Forte is trained by Todd Pletcher, one of the biggest names in the horse racing game.  Pletcher ranks with Bob Baffert when it comes to brand recognition with gamblers.

Last time out, Forte was ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr to victory in the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Juvenile.  It is a traditional fact that the Breeders’ Cup-winning horse takes the point as the Kentucky Derby favorite the following spring.  Specifically, the race was one and one-sixteenth miles long and ran on a dirt surface.  November 4, 2022, was the date, and Keeneland was the venue.

Additionally, Forte won the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity on October 8, 2022.  The race was one and a one-sixteenth mile in length and was run at Keeneland on October 8, 2022.

Overall, Forte offers an attractive trainer and record for gamblers to consider, but he will not be cheap.