RacingBetter News
	Tuesday 11th April 2023

2023 Kentucky Derby Leaderboard: Top 5 Horses Racing for the Rose Garland

The Kentucky Derby which kickoffs May 6, has been an ultimate test of every three-year-old thoroughbred horse's speed and endurance on the racecourse. And with this have come many incredible showcases of brilliant performances.

A few weeks away from starting, there are already talks about which horse will end up winning the race.

Elsewhere, top contenders have already begun to emerge for racing fans after many prep races on the road to the Derby day. These horses have worked brilliantly well to earn their spot in the Kentucky Derby point standings. Additionally, the horses racing in the Kentucky Derby represent the best of the best in the world of horse racing.

Some of the horses are familiar to many, while others are rising stars in the scene for a chance to prove themselves. Regardless, all of the Kentucky Derby horses share a common goal: to be crowned the champion of the Kentucky Derby.

The Derby comes with lots of drama, from fans, trainers, riders and even horses themselves. However, an interesting Derby day activity where you’ll see everyone participating is the Bet on the Kentucky Derby for a nice return of cash.

We then take a look at five horses with blazing performance leading the charge towards winning the 149th Kentucky Derby.

Kingsbarns - (8th with 100 points)

In the race for the Kentucky Derby title, Kingsbarns is a strong contender. Kingsbarns' string comfortably in fifth place. The three-year-old colt proved to many his true potential in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, finishing first and earning an incredible 100 points.

Derma SotoGake (JPN) - (7th with 100 points)

Derma Sotogake in fourth is another brilliant horse with 100 points heading into the Kentucky Derby. The young cold has only competed in just two prep races on the road to this event, but his performance in both races shouldn't be taken with a pinch of salt because those races have been truly remarkable.

A look at Derma Sotogake's racing success road to the Kentucky Derby signaled an interesting run of performance and a huge statement as we’re seeing for the first time an international horse from Japan earning a qualifying points for the Derby.

Sotogake has been under the training of Hidetaka Otonashi and for the Derby, and with Lemaire Christophe as the rider, the Japanese horse further proved his worth heading into the Derby with victory to his name in the UAE Horse Racing Derby placing him as one of bookies top contenders for the 2023 Kentucky Derby.

Two Phil - (5th with 123 points)

Ranked 5th with 123 points is Two Phil on KentuckyDerby.com’s 149th Road to the Kentucky Derby. The talented and brilliant horse started out in the second position via his at the Lecomte Stake. Two Phil bagged eight points at this racing arena. Finishing third at the Risen Star Stakes Horse Racing, he was guaranteed another 15 more points.

Two Phil's next horse racing outing is where he left his mark as contended for the Rose Garland finale. The Jeff Ruby Horse Racing stakes was dominated by Two Phil performance and with him finishing 1st, he secured 100 points on his way to the 149th Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Angel of Empire - (3rd with 154 points)

With 6 points behind Practical Move, Angel of Empire’s road to the Kentucky Derby is another one worth keeping an eye on. The journey behind his 3rd place with 154 points kicked off with finishing 2nd at the Smarty Jones Horse Racing Stakes. The 2nd position earned him four points.

Angel of Empire out to defy the odds, proved his performance is more than a 2nd place finish by finishing 1st in the Risen Star Horse Racing Stakes. To this 1st place is 50 points to his name towards the Kentucky Derby. The Horse Racing Derby in Arkansas was an impressive run for Angel of Empire once more as he won another 1st place finish and bagged 100 points to a remarkable 154 points towards the 2023 Kentucky Derby.

Forte - (1st with 190 points)

Forte's an undisputed champion and the colt's journey to the Kentucky Derby has been nothing short of brilliant performances. Forte's early victory in the 2022 Breeder's Futurity (G1) saw him bag 10 points towards the Derby. His second win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile just a month later outrightly put him on the map, earning a whopping 30 points.

Forte continued his winning streak by dominating the Fountain of Youth Stakes in early March 2023, and he bagged 50 points. Going on for the third time recently, Forte once again took many at the Florida Derby Gulfstream Park by surprise, crossing the finish line first and earning an incredible 100 points towards the Kentucky Derby.

Now with an incredible 190 points to his name, the colt's the clear leading favorite for the Kentucky Derby as we head into the big race. His brilliant performances have been a showcase of his speed, endurance, and track record to make him a formidable opponent. Fans of horse racing worldwide and punters are eagerly anticipating his performance in the 2023 Kentucky Derby.

Despite their brilliant performances and strong messages as we look forward to the 149th Road to the Kentucky Derby, are no way guaranteed to be a winner and we encourage everyone to gamble within their limits and stop when the fun stops.