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Kentucky Derby 2023: Which horses are in and on bubble for May 6 field at Churchill Downs?

jason frakes, louisville courier journal
·5 min read
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Forte, with Irad Ortiz Jr up, wins the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland on Friday, November 4, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo: Michael Clevenger and Erik Mohn/Courier Journal)
Forte, with Irad Ortiz Jr up, wins the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Keeneland on Friday, November 4, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo: Michael Clevenger and Erik Mohn/Courier Journal)

Here are the current Kentucky Derby points standings. The top 20 horses in the final standings will earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill Downs. Ties in the points standings are broken by earnings in non-restricted stakes.

1. Forte, 190 points

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Sire: Violence

Last race: Won Grade 1 Florida Derby on April 1 at Gulfstream

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

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2. Practical Move, 160

Trainer: Tim Yakteen

Jockey: Ramon Vazquez

Sire: Practical Joke

Last race: Won Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

3. Angel of Empire, 154

Kentucky Derby contenders Angel of Empire, on the outside, and Jace's Road, inside, breeze together at the track Saturday, April 29, 2023, the week before the Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Both horses are trained by Brad Cox, who has four total contending in the Kentucky Derby May 6, 2023.
Kentucky Derby contenders Angel of Empire, on the outside, and Jace's Road, inside, breeze together at the track Saturday, April 29, 2023, the week before the Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Both horses are trained by Brad Cox, who has four total contending in the Kentucky Derby May 6, 2023.

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Sire: Classic Empire

Last race: Won Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on April 1 at Oaklawn

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

4. Tapit Trice, 150

Luis Saez piloted Tapit Trice past Tyler Gaffalione aboard Verifying to win the 2023 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes April 8 at Keeneland. April 8, 2023
Luis Saez piloted Tapit Trice past Tyler Gaffalione aboard Verifying to win the 2023 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes April 8 at Keeneland. April 8, 2023

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Luis Saez

Sire: Tapit

Last race: Won Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 8 at Keeneland

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

5. Two Phil’s, 123

Trainer: Larry Rivelli

Jockey: Jareth Loveberry

Sire: Hard Spun

Last race: Won Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks on March 25 at Turfway

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

6. Lord Miles, 105

Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.

Jockey: Paco Lopez

Sire: Curlin

Last race: Won Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 8 at Aqueduct

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

7. Derma Sotogake, 100

Derma Sotogake with jockey Christophe Lemaire wins Group 2 UAE Derby over 1900m (9.5 furlongs) at the Meydan racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Dokoupil)
Derma Sotogake with jockey Christophe Lemaire wins Group 2 UAE Derby over 1900m (9.5 furlongs) at the Meydan racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, March 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Dokoupil)

Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi

Jockey: Christophe Lemaire

Sire: Mind Your Biscuits

Last race: Won Grade 2 UAE Derby on March 25 at Meydan

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

8. Kingsbarns, 100

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Sire: Uncle Mo

Last race: Won Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 25 at Fair Grounds

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

9. Raise Cain, 64

Trainer: Ben Colebrook

Jockey: Gerardo Corrales

Sire: Violence

Last race: Fifth in Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 8 at Keeneland

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

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10. Rocket Can, 60

Kentucky Derby 149 contender Rocket Can works out at Churchill Downs on Sunday April 23, 2023 in Louisville, Ky.
Kentucky Derby 149 contender Rocket Can works out at Churchill Downs on Sunday April 23, 2023 in Louisville, Ky.

Trainer: Bill Mott

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Sire: Into Mischief

Last race: Fourth in Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on April 1 at Oaklawn

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

11. Hit Show, 60

Kentucky Derby contender Hit Show during a workout at Churchill Downs on Monday morning, April 24, 2023 in Louisville, Ky. The trainer is Brad Cox.
Kentucky Derby contender Hit Show during a workout at Churchill Downs on Monday morning, April 24, 2023 in Louisville, Ky. The trainer is Brad Cox.

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Manny Franco

Sire: Candy Ride

Last race: Second in Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 8 at Aqueduct

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

12. Confidence Game, 57

Kentucky Derby hopeful Confidence Game trains with exercise rider Alex Cano Friday morning, April 28, 2023 at Churchill Downs. The horse, who won the Rebel Stakes In February and the Lecomte Stakes in January, is trained by J. Keith Desormeaux.
Kentucky Derby hopeful Confidence Game trains with exercise rider Alex Cano Friday morning, April 28, 2023 at Churchill Downs. The horse, who won the Rebel Stakes In February and the Lecomte Stakes in January, is trained by J. Keith Desormeaux.

Trainer: Keith Desormeaux

Jockey: James Graham

Sire: Candy Ride

Last race: Won Grade 2 Rebel on Feb. 25 at Oaklawn

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

13. Verifying, 54

Kentucky Derby contender Verifying trains Monday morning at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. April 24, 2023. The colt is trained by Brad Cox. Verifying came in second at the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes in Keeneland, fourth in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn park, sixth at the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile and second at the Champagne Stakes at the Belmont At The Big A.

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Sire: Justify

Last race: Second in Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 8 at Keeneland

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

14. Sun Thunder, 54

Trainer: Kenny McPeek

Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Sire: Into Mischief

Last race: Fourth in Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 8 at Keeneland

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

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15. Mage, 50

Mage works out Wednesday April 25, 2023 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Trainer is Gustavo Delgado.
Mage works out Wednesday April 25, 2023 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Trainer is Gustavo Delgado.

Trainer: Gustavo Delgado

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Sire: Good Magic

Last race: Second in Grade 1 Florida Derby on April 1 at Gulfstream

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

16. Disarm, 46

Kentucky Derby contender Disarm at bath time on the backside after a workout at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning, April 23, 2023 in Louisville, Ky. The horse is trained by Steve Asmussen and placed third in Grade 3 Lexington on April 15 at Keeneland.
Kentucky Derby contender Disarm at bath time on the backside after a workout at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning, April 23, 2023 in Louisville, Ky. The horse is trained by Steve Asmussen and placed third in Grade 3 Lexington on April 15 at Keeneland.

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Joel Rosario

Sire: Gun Runner

Last race: Third in Grade 3 Lexington on April 15 at Keeneland

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

17. Reincarnate, 45

Trainer: Tim Yakteen

Jockey: John Velazquez

Sire: Good Magic

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Last race: Third in Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on April 1 at Oaklawn

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

18. Jace’s Road, 45

Kentucky Derby horse Jace's Road on the track during a morning workout at Churchill Downs on Saturday April 22, 2023 in Louisville, Ky. The Brad Cox-trained horse finished third in the Twinspires.Com Louisiana Derby in March. The horse has earned $200,350.
Kentucky Derby horse Jace's Road on the track during a morning workout at Churchill Downs on Saturday April 22, 2023 in Louisville, Ky. The Brad Cox-trained horse finished third in the Twinspires.Com Louisiana Derby in March. The horse has earned $200,350.

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Florent Geroux

Sire: Quality Road

Last race: Third in Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on March 25 at Fair Grounds

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

19. Skinner, 45

Trainer: John Shirreffs

Jockey: Juan Hernandez

Sire: Curlin

Last race: Third in Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill

20. Continuar (Japan)

Kentucky Derby contender Continuar during a workout on Sunday. April 23, 2023 at Churchill Downs. Continuar placed third in the UAE Derby and first at the Cattleya Stakes in November at the Tokyo Racecourse.
Kentucky Derby contender Continuar during a workout on Sunday. April 23, 2023 at Churchill Downs. Continuar placed third in the UAE Derby and first at the Cattleya Stakes in November at the Tokyo Racecourse.

Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi

Jockey: Ryusei Sakai

Sire: Drefong

Last race: Third in Group 2 UAE Derby on March 25 at Meydan

Likely next race: Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill Downs

Note: Continuar has accepted a Kentucky Derby invitation through the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby series

First four out

21. Cyclone Mischief, 45

Kentucky Derby 149 contender Cyclone Mischief trains on Sunday. April 23 2023 at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby 149 contender Cyclone Mischief trains on Sunday. April 23 2023 at Churchill Downs.

Trainer: Dale Romans

Jockey: TBA

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Sire: Into Mischief

Last race: Third in Grade 1 Florida Derby on April 1 at Gulfstream

Likely next race: TBA

22. Major Dude, 40

Kentucky Derby contender Major Dude on the track on Sunday. April 23 2023 at Churchill Downs. Major Dude, a gelding, is trained by Todd Pletcher and placed second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks race at Turfway Park.
Kentucky Derby contender Major Dude on the track on Sunday. April 23 2023 at Churchill Downs. Major Dude, a gelding, is trained by Todd Pletcher and placed second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks race at Turfway Park.

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: TBA

Sire: Bolt d'Oro

Last race: Second in Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks on March 25 at Turfway

Likely next race: TBA

Jog, bit, breeze?: Horse racing terms to keep you in the know for Kentucky Derby

23. Mandarin Hero, 40

Kentucky Derby contender Mandarin Hero from Japan works out Saturday, April 29, 2023, the week before the Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
Kentucky Derby contender Mandarin Hero from Japan works out Saturday, April 29, 2023, the week before the Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Trainer: Terunobu Fujita

Jockey: TBA

Sire: Shanghai Bobby

Last race: Second in Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8

Likely next race: TBA

24. King Russell, 40

Trainer: Ron Moquett

Jockey: Rafael Bejarano

Sire: Creative Cause

Last race: Second in Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on April 1 at Oaklawn

Likely next race: TBA

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What horses are in the 2023 Kentucky Derby?: Who's in and on bubble