On Saturday, the 2023 edition of the Kentucky Derby will feature nineteen horses, with most of them running 1 1/4 miles for the first time. Todd Pletcher-trained Forte is the early favourite for the race with odds of 3-1 after coming into the Derby on a five-race winning streak. Among the three horses in the race trained by Todd Pletcher, Forte is co-owned by Mike Repole, whose Uncle Mo was the early favourite for the 2011 Derby but scratched the day before due to illness. Other horses to watch include Angel of Empire, Tapit Trice, Derma Sotogake, and Confidence Game.
Forte, the Derby favourite, was originally given the nickname Gaudy because of his white hooves, but his name was changed prior to his debut, a first-place finish at a maiden special weight. Forte means “strength” in Italian, which reflects his natural talent on the racecourse. Other horses have unique name origins such as Derma Sotogake, named after the dermatologist owner Hiroyuki Asanuma and a sumo wrestling move. Confidence Game was named after his sire being Justify, while owners of Gunner Runner wanted a name connected to guns.
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the American Triple Crown horse racing series, and the race will feature near-olds running 1 1/4 miles. The traffic-choked conditions typically eliminate half the field in the opening quarter-mile. Fourteen of the last 27 Derby winners ran the race after at least a five-week layoff, but none after a break of more than nine weeks.
Forte is one of the most promising horses in recent years, and he is trying to become just the fourth 2-year-old champion since 1980 to win the Derby. He comes into the race on a five-race winning streak and has lost only once in his seven career races. Forte is a standout favourite in the race, but he will have competition from other strong and experienced horses, such as Angel of Empire, who won the Arkansas Derby by 4 1/4 lengths in his most recent race. Tapit Trice is a powerful late runner and one of trainer Todd Pletcher’s three entries into the race, bringing a four-race winning streak with him. Derma Sotogake, one of two Japanese horses participating in the race, is coming off a wire-to-wire victory by 5 ½ lengths in the UAE Derby and is owned by a dermatologist in Hokkaido.
Confidence Game, the cheapest horse in the field, is another name to watch out for. He won the Rebel Stakes by a length on Feb. 25, has been trained by Keith Desormeaux, who is the brother of Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux, but had a 10-week layoff, a much longer break than most other horses in the field.
In conclusion, the 2023 Kentucky Derby is just around the corner, and Forte is already emerging as the early favourite for the race. With a five-race winning streak and remarkable natural talent, Forte is looking to become the fourth 2-year-old champion since 1980 to win the Derby. However, the race will not be easy, and he will face competition from other strong horses, including Angel of Empire, Tapit Trice, and Derma Sotogake. With their unique names and impressive performances, these horses are expected to give Forte a run for his money.
