Updated: Derby Day at 11:52 AM EST
To all of my loyal followers and readers, I have been recovering from walking pneumonia so this year I did not do the thorough handicapping on the Derby as I have done in the past. Therefore I am not writing my usual comprehensive Kentucky Derby Review for this year’s Derby. I’ll be back next year.
That being said, I go through the entire field and I think I will make Win bets on Forte and Angel of Empire. My sleeper pick is Kingsbarns.
Overall, I think this will be a good betting Derby as I don’t see Forte’s live odds going below 3-1. He is the deserved race favorite who shows tactical speed and has a nose for the wire. But that Florida Derby performance leaves questions as he fooled around, had a not-so-ideal trip but still won. This could get him in trouble in 20 horse field. So, I am hedging my bet on him with a Win bet on Angel of Empire.
I will try to update this page clear up until post-time. As usual, my betting strategies will depend on whether we get a dry race or a wet race and the live odds. You can check the live odds via this link: https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wager/kentucky-derby-live-odds
UPDATE; Lots of scratches including the shocker of the race favorite Forte. Right now I like Angel of Empire and Kingsbarns. There isn’t a whole lot of early speed in this year’s Derby so this should set up exactly like it did in the Louisiana Derby like for Kingsbarns who likes to get out front early and control the pace. Watch the track to see if those who jump out early are able to hold on and make it stick. If so, bet big on Kingsbarns.
If you like longshots, my favorite for the Derby is King Russell who is 32-1 right now. He is a closer who ran strong to the wire in the Arkansas Derby for a 2nd place finish. I bet $1 on a straight superfecta keying King Russell 23-6-14-5
Here is a link to the Brisnet Past Performances: https://www.kentuckyderby.com/uploads/wysiwyg/assets/uploads/PPs_20230429_Derby.pdf
–Michael
Cox Sportsnet 
Hi Michael,
I like Angel a lot. He seems to be the one that is improving the most, and his preps were impressive. If he has a lane in the stretch, look out.
Hope you are feeling better. Please take it easy on yourself and get back to form. Thoughts and prayers.
Thx,
Greek
LikeLiked by 1 person
Greek, thanks. I hated that Forte got scratched this morning but in a way, I was relieved from a betting standpoint as it made my betting gameplan easier. Forte was the best horse in this field but I worried about his running style getting him into trouble in such a large field. As I see it now, I like Kingsbarns shooting out early and taking the lead with Angel of Empire and Tapit Trice trying to mow him down. Kingsbarns and Angel of Empire had the two fastest final 3 furlongs in their final prep races in this field. Kingsbarns ran in the LA Derby which is just a 1/16th of mile shorter than the Derby and he ran strongly to the wire so there are no worries about him wanting the distance. So, I watch the races up until the Derby to see if the track is favoring early speed.
LikeLike
Hey! Disappointing he scratched but a bit surprised connections wanted to run him.
Right, Angel blistered in the final 1/8 and 3/8. King ran well on that easy lead.
I won’t b able to catch many of the early races. Let me know how it looks. Seemed a bit off the pace and off the rail was good yesterday.
LikeLike