This famous Classic takes place at Churchill Downs on Saturday
Tapit Trice and Skinner feature in our selections
Expired
The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. (Getty)
Contents
2023 Kentucky Derby Odds
2023 Kentucky Derby Draw
2023 Kentucky Derby Tip 1 - Tapit Trice
2023 Kentucky Derby Tip 2 - Skinner
Live Stream
On the same day that the 2000 Guineas takes place in Britain, the first Classic race of the US season will be run at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Derby was first run almost 150 years ago and racing fans from around the world will tune in to see who wins this famous race.
Here's our free guide to the 2023 Kentucky Derby, including the latest odds, the full draw and our best betting tips.
Verifying is usually a fast starter and a low draw in stall two could force Tyler Gaffalione into making the running. Derma Sotogake made all and clocked a fast time when winning the UAE Derby and
Christophe-Patrice Lemaire will be keen to get a good early position from out-wide in stall 17.
Forte would certainly be a worthy winner of this great race. Todd Pletcher's star was comfortably the best juvenile in the US last season and he's done little wrong in his two three-year-old starts. In contrast, stablemate TAPIT TRICE ran in three low-key races as a juvenile and has gone on to improve tremendously during 2023.
Pletcher's star was backed into 1/2 before his reappearance in the South Tampa Bay Derby. Luis Saez's mount got off to a shocking start in that Grade Three, but steadily worked his way back into contention and flew home to secure an impressive victory.
Again, in the Blue Grass Stakes, Tapit Trice wasn't the most alert out of the gates and Saez had to work hard in the early stages to secure a handy position from stall one. Having been angled out, the favourite swept into a prominent position going into the final bend. Swinging into the straight, Verifying went toe-to-toe with Tapit Trice and it was Pletcher's runner who snatched a narrow victory.
Although the margin of victory that day was only slight, I felt like Tapit Trice was keeping plenty up his sleeve and was never going to let Verifying go by. This horse is progressing at a rapid rate and if he were to upset his market-topping stablemate, it wouldn't be a surprise.
Tapit Trice runs on the track during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby. (Getty)
Another who has clearly improved from two to three is SKINNER for John Shirreffs - who won the Derby with Giacomo back in 2005. Shirreffs thought enough of this son of Curlin to run him in a couple of Grade Ones at the back end of last season, and Skinner kicked off his three-year-old campaign with an easy maiden victory at Santa Anita.
Juan Hernandez's mount has since finished third behind Practical Move in both the San Felipe Stakes and the Santa Anita Derby. The winner was positioned handily on the rail and found the ideal split in both of those races. Skinner, on the other hand, was dropped out, chased up to challenge going into the final bend and forced wide to try and get on terms with Practical Move, which he never managed to do.
Shirreffs' challenger improved for the step up to nine furlongs last time out and there's no reason why he won't see out this slightly longer trip. Hernandez will need some luck in running if he attempts to execute those customary waiting tactics. If the gaps open at the right time, then I could see Skinner running his way into contention.
Live Stream
If you want to watch this Classic race on a mobile or tablet, then check out our Kentucky Derby Live Stream page.
Verdict
Tapit Trice and Skinner are our two against the field in this year's Kentucky Derby.
2023 Kentucky Derby Tips: Tapit Trice Straight Win @5/1 at bet365 - 15 Units
2023 Kentucky Derby Tips: Skinner Each-Way @16/1 at bet365 - 5 Units
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