California Horse Racing Fans Get Set For 2023 Kentucky Derby

We’re coming up on the most exciting two minutes in sports. The 2023 Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, May 6, at Churchill Downs.

This is the 149th renewal of the race, and 20 3-year-olds are prepared to go 1 1/4 miles in front of more than 100,000 people. Here’s what California horse racing fans need to know.

How can I bet on the 2023 Kentucky Derby?

Wagering on the Kentucky Derby is available through advance deposit wagering (ADW) platforms. This includes FanDuel Racing, which is offering a $20 No Sweat Bet for new users ahead of the Run for the Roses.

FanDuel Racing will open Kentucky Derby betting on Friday. Those who like to beat the rush will be able to get their bets in early and relax leading up to the big race.

What California horses are running in the Kentucky Derby?

Practical Move was going to be one of the favorites on Saturday afternoon. He won this year’s Santa Anita Derby and was 10-1 on the morning line. However, he scratched Thursday after spiking a temperature.

Practical Move’s trainer is Tim Yakteen, a former Bob Baffert assistant who will still be busy on Saturday. He’ll saddle Reincarnate in the Kentucky Derby. Reincarnate won the Sham Stakes for Baffert, but received no Kentucky Derby points due to Baffert’s two-year Kentucky Derby ban. After being moved to Yakteen, Reincarnate ran third in both the Rebel Stakes and the Arkansas Derby.

The Santa Anita Derby runner-up, Mandarin Hero, drew into the Kentucky Derby after Practical Move and Lord Miles defected this week. He shipped to California from his home base in Japan and missed by just a nose.

The third-place finisher in the Santa Anita Derby is also in the Kentucky Derby field. That’s Skinner, who picks up Juan Hernandez (Santa Anita’s leading rider this past winter). Skinner is trained by John Shirreffs, who won the Kentucky Derby with Giacomo back in 2005. Shirreffs is also known as the trainer of legendary mare Zenyatta.

More on the 2023 Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is the 12th of 14 races on Saturday’s program at Churchill Downs. Post time is 6:57 pm Eastern, so just before 4 pm Pacific.

The likely 2023 Kentucky Derby favorite is Forte, the 3-1 choice on the morning line. He won his division’s Eclipse Award as a 2-year-old and is 2-for-2 this season. Most recently, he won the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.

Other contenders include Blue Grass winner Tapit Trice, Arkansas Derby winner Angel of Empire, and Japanese shipper Derma Sotogake.