When is Kentucky Derby 2023? Details about Saturday event, Forte scratched from race

Aaron A. Bedoya, El Paso Times
·4 min read

Editor's note: The field for Saturday's Kentucky Derby has changed with a handful of scratches. A new post position list has been updated. If more changes occur, the list will be updated.

The Kentucky Derby figures to draw 150,000-plus to Churchill Downs.

After Authentic won the months-delayed Derby in 2020, Medina Spirit won the 2021 race only to have the victory stripped for a positive drug test and Mandaloun declared the winner.

Then last year, 80-1 longshot Rich Strike finished three-quarters of a length in front of 4-1 favorite Epicenter one of the unlikeliest of victories in race history.

Sunland Derby winner Wild On Ice was euthanized Aug. 27 after suffering an injury to his left hind leg during training at Churchill Downs in Louisville in preparation for the Kentucky Derby.

Here's everything you want to know about the 2023 Kentucky Derby:

Kentucky Derby 2023 logo
Kentucky Derby 2023 logo

When is the Kentucky Derby 2023?

The 2023 Kentucky Derby will be held on Saturday, May 6.

Held every year since 1875, The Run for the Roses has taken place on the first Saturday in May every year since 1945 with two exceptions: In 1945, it was held on June 9 because of World War II. The race was postponed in 2020 to Sept. 5 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What time is the Kentucky Derby today?

Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for 4:57 p.m. MT, Saturday, May 6.

More: Sunland Derby winner Wild On Ice works out at Churchull Downs in Louisville

Where is the Kentucky Derby 2023 held?

The Kentucky Derby is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

How to watch the Kentucky Derby

NBC will broadcast the Kentucky Derby. It can be streamed online at NBCSports.com and on the NBC Sports app for eligible cable subscribers. Subscribers can pay for a month of Peacock Premium for $4.99 or Peacock Plus for $9.99. Other streaming subscription services that should carry NBC include YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.

Kentucky Derby favorite Forte scratched from race

The early favorite for the Kentucky Derby has been scratched hours before the race.

Forte was declared out of the 149th Derby on Saturday, according to Churchill Downs spokesman Darren Rogers. No immediate reason was announced.

It was the fifth scratch this week from the race.

What horses are in the field for the 2023 Kentucky Derby?

Eligibility is gained through a series of prep races that began in September.

As things stand now, here is the field for the 2023 Kentucky Derby by post position with morning-line odds. The horses who have been scratched from the race are noted.

  • 1 Hit Show (30-1)

  • 2 Verifying (15-1)

  • 3 Two Phil's (12-1)

  • 4 Confidence Game (20-1)

  • 5 Tapit Trice (5-1)

  • 6 Kingsbarns (12-1)

  • 7 Reincarnate (50-1)

  • 8 Mage (15-1)

  • 9 Skinner (Scratched)

  • 10 Practical Move (Scratched)

  • 11 Disarm (30-1)

  • 12 Jace's Road (50-1)

  • 13 Sun Thunder (50-1)

  • 14 Angel of Empire (8-1)

  • 15 Forte (Scratched)

  • 16 Raise Cain (50-1)

  • 17 Derma Sotogake (10-1)

  • 18 Rocket Can (30-1)

  • 19 Lord Miles (Scratched)

  • 20 Continuar (Scratched)

  • 21 Cyclone Mischief (30-1)

  • 22 Mandarin Hero (20-1)

  • 23 King Russell (50-1)

Kentucky Derby 2023 gambling favorites

Todd Pletcher-trained colt Forte and Brad Cox's filly Wet Paint were the morning line favorites respectively for the 149th Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, according to the Associated Press.

The early favorite for the Kentucky Derby, Forte, has been scratched hours before the race.

Forte, the 2-year-old champion whose 190 points led the Derby qualifying trail, drew the No. 15 post at 3-1 odds on Monday for the $3 million premier race for 3-year-olds.

Kentucky Derby contender Forte prepares for a bath Saturday, April 29, 2023, the week before the Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Kentucky Derby 2023 Horses
Kentucky Derby contender Forte prepares for a bath Saturday, April 29, 2023, the week before the Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Kentucky Derby 2023 Horses

Wet Paint will lead Friday’s $1.25 million Oaks from the No. 7 post at 5-2 odds. One of three fillies trained by Louisville-born Cox among 14 entrants for the 1 1/8th mile race, she has won all three starts this year and enters with consecutive Grade 3 stakes wins in the Fantasy and Honeybee respectively at Oaklawn Park.

Kentucky Oaks contender Wet Paint trains Monday morning at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. April 24, 2023. The filly is trained by Brad Cox. She's won the Fantasy Stakes, Honeybee Stakes and the Martha Washington Stakes at 1 and 1/16 mile.
Kentucky Oaks contender Wet Paint trains Monday morning at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. April 24, 2023. The filly is trained by Brad Cox. She's won the Fantasy Stakes, Honeybee Stakes and the Martha Washington Stakes at 1 and 1/16 mile.

Kentucky Oaks 2023 winner

Sunland Oaks winner Flying Connection led for a long stretch of the 1 1/8th mile races but tired and finished sixth for trainer Todd Fincher, who is based in New Mexico. Pretty Mischievous won the race and Gambling Girl was second.

USA Today and Associated Press contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Kentucky Derby 2023 start time: Details about horse racing event