2023 Kentucky Derby
Updated: 12/11/2025, 2:53:27 PM Wikipedia source
The 2023 Kentucky Derby (branded as the 149th Running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve for sponsorship reasons) was the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby. It took place on May 6, 2023, the first Saturday in May, in Louisville, Kentucky. The race was open to 20 horses, who qualified for the race by earning points on the 2023 Road to the Kentucky Derby. The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race at a distance of 1+1⁄4 miles (2.0 km) and has been run at Churchill Downs racetrack since its inception in 1875. The purse for 2023 was US$3 million. The race was won by Mage. The race was broadcast by NBC, with coverage of undercard races beginning at 10:30 am EDT on USA Network and main network coverage of pre-race activities starting at 12:30 pm EDT. It was also livestreamed on NBCSports.com. According to The Blood-Horse, NBC's broadcast "averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 14.8 million viewers—making it the most-watched sporting event and second most watched show (behind only the Academy Awards) since Super Bowl LVII in February." During the week of the 2023 Derby, seven horses died at Churchill Downs, including two who were euthanized prior to the signature race on Saturday.
Infobox
Location
Churchill DownsLouisville, Kentucky, United States
Date
May 6, 2023 (2023-05-06)
Distance
mw- 1 1⁄4 mi (10 furlongs; 2,012 m)
Winning horse
Mage
Winning time
2:01.57
Final odds
15–1
Jockey
Javier Castellano
Trainer
Gustavo Delgado
Owner
OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing and Commonwealth Thoroughbreds
Conditions
Fast
Surface
Dirt
Attendance
150,335
Tables
· Result
1
1
Finish
1
Program
Numbers
8
Horse
Mage
Qualifying
Points
50
Trainer
Gustavo Delgado
Jockey
Javier Castellano
MorningLine Odds
15-1
Final Odds
15.21
Winnings
$1,860,000
2
2
Finish
2
Program
Numbers
3
Horse
Two Phil's
Qualifying
Points
123
Trainer
Larry Rivelli
Jockey
Jareth Loveberry
MorningLine Odds
12-1
Final Odds
9.87
Margin(Lengths)
1
Winnings
$600,000
3
3
Finish
3
Program
Numbers
14
Horse
Angel of Empire
Qualifying
Points
154
Trainer
Brad H. Cox
Jockey
Flavien Prat
MorningLine Odds
8-1
Final Odds
4.06
Margin(Lengths)
1+1⁄2
Winnings
$300,000
4
4
Finish
4
Program
Numbers
11
Horse
Disarm
Qualifying
Points
46
Trainer
Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey
Joel Rosario
MorningLine Odds
30-1
Final Odds
27.12
Margin(Lengths)
4+1⁄2
Winnings
$150,000
5
5
Finish
5
Program
Numbers
1
Horse
Hit Show
Qualifying
Points
60
Trainer
Brad H. Cox
Jockey
Manuel Franco
MorningLine Odds
30-1
Final Odds
24.02
Margin(Lengths)
6+1⁄2
Winnings
$90,000
6
6
Finish
6
Program
Numbers
17
Horse
Derma Sotogake (JPN)
Qualifying
Points
100
Trainer
Hidetaka Otonashi
Jockey
Christophe Lemaire
MorningLine Odds
10-1
Final Odds
7.80
Margin(Lengths)
8
7
7
Finish
7
Program
Numbers
5
Horse
Tapit Trice
Qualifying
Points
150
Trainer
Todd A. Pletcher
Jockey
Luis Saez
MorningLine Odds
5-1
Final Odds
4.53
Margin(Lengths)
9+1⁄4
8
8
Finish
8
Program
Numbers
16
Horse
Raise Cain
Qualifying
Points
64
Trainer
Ben Colbrook
Jockey
Gerardo Corrales
MorningLine Odds
50-1
Final Odds
33.04
Margin(Lengths)
10
9
9
Finish
9
Program
Numbers
18
Horse
Rocket Can
Qualifying
Points
60
Trainer
William I. Mott
Jockey
Junior Alvarado
MorningLine Odds
15-1
Final Odds
28.81
Margin(Lengths)
11
10
10
Finish
10
Program
Numbers
4
Horse
Confidence Game
Qualifying
Points
57
Trainer
J. Keith Desormeaux
Jockey
James Graham
MorningLine Odds
20-1
Final Odds
21.03
Margin(Lengths)
14+1⁄2
11
11
Finish
11
Program
Numbers
13
Horse
Sun Thunder
Qualifying
Points
54
Trainer
Kenneth G. McPeek
Jockey
Brian Hernandez Jr.
MorningLine Odds
50-1
Final Odds
33.06
Margin(Lengths)
16+3⁄4
12
12
Finish
12
Program
Numbers
22
Horse
Mandarin Hero (JPN)
Qualifying
Points
40
Trainer
Terunobu Fujita
Jockey
Kazushi Kimura
MorningLine Odds
20-1
Final Odds
17.47
Margin(Lengths)
20+1⁄2
13
13
Finish
13
Program
Numbers
7
Horse
Reincarnate
Qualifying
Points
45
Trainer
Tim Yakteen
Jockey
John Velazquez
MorningLine Odds
50-1
Final Odds
14.76
Margin(Lengths)
24+1⁄2
14
14
Finish
14
Program
Numbers
6
Horse
Kingsbarns
Qualifying
Points
100
Trainer
Todd A. Pletcher
Jockey
José Ortiz
MorningLine Odds
12-1
Final Odds
11.72
Margin(Lengths)
25+1⁄4
15
15
Finish
15
Program
Numbers
23
Horse
King Russell
Qualifying
Points
40
Trainer
Ron Moquett
Jockey
Rafael Bejarano
MorningLine Odds
50-1
Final Odds
32.27
Margin(Lengths)
25+1⁄2
16
16
Finish
16
Program
Numbers
2
Horse
Verifying
Qualifying
Points
54
Trainer
Brad H. Cox
Jockey
Tyler Gaffalione
MorningLine Odds
15-1
Final Odds
14.30
Margin(Lengths)
54+3⁄4
17
17
Finish
17
Program
Numbers
12
Horse
Jace's Road
Qualifying
Points
45
Trainer
Brad H. Cox
Jockey
Florent Geroux
MorningLine Odds
15-1
Final Odds
33.47
Margin(Lengths)
55+1⁄4
18
18
Finish
18
Program
Numbers
21
Horse
Cyclone Mischief
Qualifying
Points
45
Trainer
Dale L. Romans
Jockey
Irad Ortiz Jr.
MorningLine Odds
30-1
Final Odds
29.02
Margin(Lengths)
55+1⁄2
Scratched
Scratched
Finish
Scratched
Program
Numbers
9
Horse
Skinner
Qualifying
Points
45
Trainer
John Shirreffs
Jockey
Juan Hernandez
MorningLine Odds
20-1
10
10
Finish
10
Program
Numbers
Practical Move
Horse
160
Qualifying
Points
Tim Yakteen
Trainer
Ramon Vasquez
Jockey
10-1
15
15
Finish
15
Program
Numbers
Forte
Horse
190
Qualifying
Points
Todd A. Pletcher
Trainer
Irad Ortiz Jr.
Jockey
3-1
19
19
Finish
19
Program
Numbers
Lord Miles
Horse
104
Qualifying
Points
Saffie Joseph Jr.
Trainer
Paco Lopez
Jockey
30-1
20
20
Finish
20
Program
Numbers
Continuar (JPN)
Horse
30
Qualifying
Points
Yoshito Yahagi
Trainer
Ryusei Sakai
Jockey
50-1
| Finish | Program Numbers | Horse | Qualifying Points | Trainer | Jockey | MorningLine Odds | Final Odds | Margin(Lengths) | Winnings |
| 1 | 8 | Mage | 50 | Gustavo Delgado | Javier Castellano | 15-1 | 15.21 | $1,860,000 | |
| 2 | 3 | Two Phil's | 123 | Larry Rivelli | Jareth Loveberry | 12-1 | 9.87 | 1 | $600,000 |
| 3 | 14 | Angel of Empire | 154 | Brad H. Cox | Flavien Prat | 8-1 | 4.06 | 1+1⁄2 | $300,000 |
| 4 | 11 | Disarm | 46 | Steven M. Asmussen | Joel Rosario | 30-1 | 27.12 | 4+1⁄2 | $150,000 |
| 5 | 1 | Hit Show | 60 | Brad H. Cox | Manuel Franco | 30-1 | 24.02 | 6+1⁄2 | $90,000 |
| 6 | 17 | Derma Sotogake (JPN) | 100 | Hidetaka Otonashi | Christophe Lemaire | 10-1 | 7.80 | 8 | |
| 7 | 5 | Tapit Trice | 150 | Todd A. Pletcher | Luis Saez | 5-1 | 4.53 | 9+1⁄4 | |
| 8 | 16 | Raise Cain | 64 | Ben Colbrook | Gerardo Corrales | 50-1 | 33.04 | 10 | |
| 9 | 18 | Rocket Can | 60 | William I. Mott | Junior Alvarado | 15-1 | 28.81 | 11 | |
| 10 | 4 | Confidence Game | 57 | J. Keith Desormeaux | James Graham | 20-1 | 21.03 | 14+1⁄2 | |
| 11 | 13 | Sun Thunder | 54 | Kenneth G. McPeek | Brian Hernandez Jr. | 50-1 | 33.06 | 16+3⁄4 | |
| 12 | 22 | Mandarin Hero (JPN) | 40 | Terunobu Fujita | Kazushi Kimura | 20-1 | 17.47 | 20+1⁄2 | |
| 13 | 7 | Reincarnate | 45 | Tim Yakteen | John Velazquez | 50-1 | 14.76 | 24+1⁄2 | |
| 14 | 6 | Kingsbarns | 100 | Todd A. Pletcher | José Ortiz | 12-1 | 11.72 | 25+1⁄4 | |
| 15 | 23 | King Russell | 40 | Ron Moquett | Rafael Bejarano | 50-1 | 32.27 | 25+1⁄2 | |
| 16 | 2 | Verifying | 54 | Brad H. Cox | Tyler Gaffalione | 15-1 | 14.30 | 54+3⁄4 | |
| 17 | 12 | Jace's Road | 45 | Brad H. Cox | Florent Geroux | 15-1 | 33.47 | 55+1⁄4 | |
| 18 | 21 | Cyclone Mischief | 45 | Dale L. Romans | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 30-1 | 29.02 | 55+1⁄2 | |
| Scratched | 9 | Skinner | 45 | John Shirreffs | Juan Hernandez | 20-1 | |||
| 10 | Practical Move | 160 | Tim Yakteen | Ramon Vasquez | 10-1 | ||||
| 15 | Forte | 190 | Todd A. Pletcher | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 3-1 | ||||
| 19 | Lord Miles | 104 | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Paco Lopez | 30-1 | ||||
| 20 | Continuar (JPN) | 30 | Yoshito Yahagi | Ryusei Sakai | 50-1 |
· Result › Payouts
Mage
Mage
Program number
8
Horse name
Mage
Win
$32.42
Place
$14.58
Show
$9.08
Two Phil's
Two Phil's
Program number
3
Horse name
Two Phil's
Win
—
Place
$10.44
Show
$6.52
Angel of Empire
Angel of Empire
Program number
14
Horse name
Angel of Empire
Win
—
Place
—
Show
$4.70
| Program number | Horse name | Win | Place | Show |
| 8 | Mage | $32.42 | $14.58 | $9.08 |
| 3 | Two Phil's | — | $10.44 | $6.52 |
| 14 | Angel of Empire | — | — | $4.70 |
· References
| Preceded by2022 Belmont Stakes | Triple Crown | Succeeded by2023 Preakness Stakes |
References
- Irad Ortiz Jr. was supposed to ride Forte, but after Forte was scratched, Ortiz was named as the rider of Cyclone Mischi
- Skinner was scratched after spiking a temperature
- Practical Move was scratched after having an elevated temperature on May 4
- Derby favorite Forte was scratched after regulatory veterinarian concerns related to a mending foot bruise in his right
- Lord Miles was scratched by order of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission
- Continuar was scratched by trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who said that the horse did not reach peak fitness for the race
- BloodHorse.comhttps://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/224298/woodford-reserve-is-new-kentucky-derby-sponsor
- www.kentuckyderby.comhttps://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/news/kentucky-derby-purse-raised-to-$3-million#:~:text=The+145+th+running+of+the+Kentucky+Derby,has+been+elevated+to+a+guaranteed+$3+million.
- "When is the Kentucky Derby 2023? Start Time, TV Channel, Odds"https://derbykentucky.com/start-time-tv-channel-odds/
- The Blood-Horsehttps://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/268509/ky-derby-most-watched-sports-event-since-super-bowl
- "7 horses have died at Churchill Downs since the start of Kentucky Derby week"https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/06/sport/horse-deaths-kentucky-derby-spt/index.html
- "About the Road to the Kentucky Derby"https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/how-does-it-work
- kentuckyderby.comhttps://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/prep-races
- bloodhorse.comhttps://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/268274/favored-forte-avoids-unfavorable-draw-in-kentucky-derby
- WLKYhttps://www.wlky.com/article/kentucky-derby-horse-scratch-practical-move-cyclone-mischief/43795014
- WAVEhttps://www.wave3.com/2023/05/04/trainer-saffie-joseph-jr-suspended-churchill-downs-lord-miles-scratched-derby/
- "Continuar (JPN) to scratch from Kentucky Derby 149"https://www.kentuckyderby.com/uploads/wysiwyg/assets/uploads/20230504_Continuar_Scratch.pdf
- "Kentucky Derby: Skinner scratched due to temperature"https://www.drf.com/news/kentucky-derby-skinner-scratched-due-temperature
- The Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/05/06/forte-kentucky-derby-scratch/
- www.bloodhorse.comhttps://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/268157/wild-on-ice-euthanized-following-derby-work
- Lexington Herald-Leaderhttps://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/article274773496.html
- "Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. is reinstated by Churchill Downs after deaths of 2 horses"https://apnews.com/article/trainer-reinstated-churchill-downs-horse-deaths-5aad85a9973165560fa3cdc898cb6c19
- WDRBhttps://www.wdrb.com/derby_149/2-horses-euthanized-after-sustaining-injuries-saturday-at-churchill-downs/article_60ee0eca-ec3d-11ed-ab7c-17358032765a.html
- Lexington Herald-Leaderhttps://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/article274780721.html
- "Mage wins star-crossed Kentucky Derby amid 7th death"https://apnews.com/article/2023-kentucky-derby-live-updates-02c48f133ca75e513fceb967eff75495
- Bloodhorse.comhttps://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/268436/mage-rallies-to-thrilling-kentucky-derby-victory
- Bloodhorse.comhttps://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/268429/latest-changes-for-kentucky-derby-day
- Bloodhorse.comhttps://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/268365/practical-move-to-scratch-from-kentucky-derby
- Courier Journalhttps://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/2023/05/06/kentucky-derby-2023-scratched-horses-todd-pletcher-favorite-forte-out/70186060007/
- ESPNhttps://www.espn.ph/horse-racing/story/_/id/37517803/kentucky-derby-favorite-forte-scratched-race-per-reports
- Equibasehttp://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=12&BorP=P&TID=CD&CTRY=USA&DT=05/06/2023&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB