Winner of the “Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby,” comes in off a third place finish behind Derma Sotogake in the UAE Derby. But Desormeaux has opted to train Confidence Game up to the Derby, working four furlongs in 1:00.4 at Churchill Downs on April 8.

Trainer: Keith Desormeaux Jockey: James Graham.Īn impressive winner of the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn back on Feb. Credited with a 97 Beyer in an allowance win at Oaklawn to open the year. Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione.Ī late bump in a stretch duel with Tapit Trice may have cost Verifying a victory in the Blue Grass Stakes, beaten a neck. Was second-best to Forte in the Fountain of Youth, and ran evenly placing fourth in the Arkansas Derby. 4 at Gulfstream, stalking the pace before taking control at the quarter pole. Trainer: Bill Mott Jockey: Junior Alvarado. Lemaire rode last year’s UAE Derby winner, Crown Pride to a 13th place finish in the Derby. It's difficult to know how a win in the UAE Derby on March 25 in Dubai will translate here, winning by 5 1/2 length win at 1-1/16 mile, with horses from Japan taking the top four spots. Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi Jockey: Christophe Patrice Lemaire. Could be in play in exotics at a higher price here. The last horse to win that race and come back to win the Kentucky Derby was Animal Kingdom, who rallied wide from far back to win at 20-1. Trainer: Larry Rivelli Jockey: Jareth Loveberry.Ĭredited with a 101 Beyer in winning the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park on March 25. Secured Derby invitation with an impressive front-running win in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, remaining unbeaten in three career starts while picking up a career-best 95 Beyer. Jockey Luis Saez aboard Tapit Trice rides past Tyler Gaffalione on Verifying to claim the 2023 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes April 8 at Keeneland. Tapit has sired three Belmont winners, but has yet to produce a Derby winner. Rallied wide to get up and win the Blue Grass Stakes by a neck over Verifying, and has now won four straight, including the Tampa Bay Derby. Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Luis Saez. Will be a factor at the end going 10 furlongs. Angel of Empire 7/2Ĭomes off an impressive 4 1/2-lenth win in Arkansas Derby, moving on the outside and rolling past the field, after coming from way back to win the Risen Star back on Feb. His sire, Practical Joke, was at his best around one turn.

Has won three straight graded stakes, holding on to win the Santa Anita Derby by a nose, after being purchased for $230,000 as a 2-year-old last spring. Trainer: Tim Yakteen Jockey: Ramon Vazquez. Unbeaten over last five starts, Forte does not have a Beyer Speed Figure over 98 so far, getting a 95 for the Florida Derby. Has four career Grade 1 wins, including rallying from far back to win the Florida Derby. Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Irad Ortiz.

Forte, with Ira Ortiz Jr up, wins the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland on Friday, November 4, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky.

Paco lopez and irad ortiz