2023 Kentucky Derby
{{Short description|149th running of the Kentucky Derby}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2023}}
{{use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox horse race
| name = 149th Kentucky Derby
| class = Grade I stakes race
| horse race = Kentucky Derby
| image = KD_Logo_2023.png
| caption = 2023 Kentucky Derby
| location = Churchill Downs
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
| date = {{start date|2023|5|6}}
| distance = {{convert|1+1/4|mi|furlong m|0|abbr=on}}
| winning horse = Mage
| winning time = 2:01.57
| final odds = 15–1
| winning jockey = Javier Castellano
| winning trainer = Gustavo Delgado
| winning owner = OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing and Commonwealth Thoroughbreds
| surface = Dirt
| attendance = 150,335
| conditions = Fast
| previous = 2022
| next = 2024
}}
The 2023 Kentucky Derby (branded as the 149th Running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve for sponsorship reasons){{cite web|title=Woodford Reserve is New Kentucky Derby Sponsor|url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/224298/woodford-reserve-is-new-kentucky-derby-sponsor|author=Frank Angst|date=October 25, 2017|website=BloodHorse.com|access-date=April 15, 2018|archive-date=April 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415125014/https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/224298/woodford-reserve-is-new-kentucky-derby-sponsor|url-status=live}} 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 {{convert|1+1/4|mi}} and has been run at Churchill Downs racetrack since its inception in 1875. The purse for 2023 was {{currency|3|USD}} million.{{Cite web|url=https://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.|title=Kentucky Derby Purse Raised to $3 Million|website=www.kentuckyderby.com|access-date=May 8, 2023|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402155615/https://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.|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Guha |first1=Rocky |title=When is the Kentucky Derby 2023? Start Time, TV Channel, Odds |url=https://derbykentucky.com/start-time-tv-channel-odds/ |publisher=Kentucky Derby |access-date=2 April 2022 |date=15 March 2022 |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402155614/https://derbykentucky.com/start-time-tv-channel-odds/ |url-status=live }} 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."{{cite magazine |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/268509/ky-derby-most-watched-sports-event-since-super-bowl |title=KY Derby Most Watched Sports Event Since Super Bowl |date=May 8, 2023 |magazine=The Blood-Horse |access-date=April 18, 2024}}
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.{{cite news|last1=De la Fuente|first1=Homero|last2=Sottile|first2=Zoe|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/06/sport/horse-deaths-kentucky-derby-spt/index.html|title=7 horses have died at Churchill Downs since the start of Kentucky Derby week|publisher=CNN|date=May 6, 2023|access-date=May 7, 2023|archive-date=May 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230508141504/https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/06/sport/horse-deaths-kentucky-derby-spt/index.html|url-status=live}}
Qualification
{{main|2023 Road to the Kentucky Derby}}
The field is limited to twenty horses who qualify based on points earned in the 2023 Road to the Kentucky Derby, a series of designated races that was first introduced in 2013. This point system replaced the previous graded stakes race earnings system.{{cite web|url=https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/how-does-it-work|publisher=Churchill Downs Incorporated|title=About the Road to the Kentucky Derby|access-date=March 24, 2018|archive-date=April 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411211339/https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/how-does-it-work|url-status=live}} The Main Road consists mostly of races in North America and one in Dubai, the Japan Road consists of four races in Japan, and the European Road consists of seven races in Great Britain, Ireland and France.{{cite web |title=2022/23 Kentucky Derby Prep Races |url=https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/prep-races |website=kentuckyderby.com |publisher=Churchill Downs Inc |access-date=3 April 2023 |date=Sep 2022 |archive-date=May 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507232158/https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/prep-races |url-status=live }}
Entries
The draw for the event was held at Churchill Downs at 2:00 p.m. on May 1, 2023.{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Byron |title=Favored Forte Avoids Unfavorable Draw in Kentucky Derby The son of Violence will start from post 15. |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/268274/favored-forte-avoids-unfavorable-draw-in-kentucky-derby |website=bloodhorse.com |access-date=2 May 2023 |date=1 May 2023 |archive-date=May 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502055428/https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/268274/favored-forte-avoids-unfavorable-draw-in-kentucky-derby |url-status=live }} Forte was installed as the 3-to-1 favorite and drew post number 15.
Three horses were withdrawn from the Derby two days before the race. On May 4, trainer Tim Yakteen withdrew Practical Move after the horse developed a fever, which allowed the Dale Romans-trained Cyclone Mischief to qualify from the also-eligible list.{{cite web|url=https://www.wlky.com/article/kentucky-derby-horse-scratch-practical-move-cyclone-mischief/43795014|title=Practical Move scratched from Kentucky Derby due to fever|date=4 May 2023|work=WLKY|publisher=Hearst Television|access-date=4 May 2023|archive-date=May 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505143714/https://www.wlky.com/article/kentucky-derby-horse-scratch-practical-move-cyclone-mischief/43795014|url-status=live}} Later that day, Wood Memorial winner Lord Miles was withdrawn by order of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, which announced that all horses trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. could not race until further notice after two of them collapsed and died following races run at Churchill on April 29 and May 2. The withdrawal of Lord Miles allowed Japanese horse Mandarin Hero to take part in the race.{{cite web|url=https://www.wave3.com/2023/05/04/trainer-saffie-joseph-jr-suspended-churchill-downs-lord-miles-scratched-derby/|title=Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. suspended from Churchill Downs, Lord Miles scratched from Derby|last1=Vogt|first1=Dustin|last2=Stevens|first2=Mark|date=4 May 2023|work=WAVE|publisher=Gray Television|access-date=4 May 2023|archive-date=May 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505004241/https://www.wave3.com/2023/05/04/trainer-saffie-joseph-jr-suspended-churchill-downs-lord-miles-scratched-derby/|url-status=live}} The third and final also-eligible, the Ron Moquett-trained King Russell, qualified for the Derby on the evening of May 4 after another Japanese contender, Continuar, was withdrawn by trainer Yoshito Yahagi.{{cite press release|last=Kerstein|first=Kevin|date=4 May 2023|title=Continuar (JPN) to scratch from Kentucky Derby 149|url=https://www.kentuckyderby.com/uploads/wysiwyg/assets/uploads/20230504_Continuar_Scratch.pdf|location=Louisville, KY|publisher=Churchill Downs|access-date=4 May 2023|archive-date=May 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505012942/https://www.kentuckyderby.com/uploads/wysiwyg/assets/uploads/20230504_Continuar_Scratch.pdf|url-status=live}} On the day before the Derby, John Shirreffs withdrew Skinner after that horse developed a temperature.{{cite web|url=https://www.drf.com/news/kentucky-derby-skinner-scratched-due-temperature|title=Kentucky Derby: Skinner scratched due to temperature|last=Grening|first=David|date=5 May 2023|publisher=Daily Racing Form|access-date=5 May 2023|archive-date=May 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505154054/https://www.drf.com/news/kentucky-derby-skinner-scratched-due-temperature|url-status=live}} On May 6, just hours before the Derby was scheduled to start, Forte was withdrawn from the race. Mike Repole, the co-owner of Forte, cited the cause as a bruised right foot.{{Cite news |last1=Culpepper|first1=Chuck|title=Forte, the morning-line favorite, scratched hours before Kentucky Derby |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/05/06/forte-kentucky-derby-scratch/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=6 May 2023}}
Horse deaths
{{Update section|date=May 2024|reason=resulting investigations aren't covered}}
File:Saffie_Joseph_Jr._in_2022.jpg
Seven horses died at Churchill Downs during the week of the Kentucky Derby, including two horses that died in undercard races on the day of the Derby. Wild on Ice, a Derby contender, was hurt while training on April 27 and was euthanized.{{Cite web |title=Wild On Ice Euthanized Following Derby Work |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/268157/wild-on-ice-euthanized-following-derby-work |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=www.bloodhorse.com |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503165805/https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/268157/wild-on-ice-euthanized-following-derby-work |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Clay |first=John |date=2023-04-27 |title=Kentucky Derby: Wild On Ice out after suffering leg injury {{!}} Lexington Herald Leader |url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/article274773496.html |access-date= |website=Lexington Herald-Leader |archive-date=April 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427231926/https://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/article274773496.html |url-status=live }} On April 29, Code of Kings died after flipping and breaking his neck. Take Charge Briana was injured in a race on May 2 and was euthanized. On May 4, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. was suspended indefinitely by Churchill Downs after two of his horses, Parents Pride and Chasing Artie, died. Parents Pride suddenly died on April 29 and Chasing Artie collapsed and died following a race on May 2. Following a two-month investigation, Joseph was reinstated on June 30.{{cite web| title=Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. is reinstated by Churchill Downs after deaths of 2 horses| url=https://apnews.com/article/trainer-reinstated-churchill-downs-horse-deaths-5aad85a9973165560fa3cdc898cb6c19| date=June 30, 2023| publisher=Associated Press| access-date=January 17, 2025}}
Chloe's Dream and Freezing Point were euthanized on May 6 after being injured in undercard races. Chloe's Dream injured his right front knee in the second race and went into an equine ambulance; he was euthanized after.{{Cite web |title=2 horses euthanized after sustaining injuries Saturday at Churchill Downs |url=https://www.wdrb.com/derby_149/2-horses-euthanized-after-sustaining-injuries-saturday-at-churchill-downs/article_60ee0eca-ec3d-11ed-ab7c-17358032765a.html |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=WDRB |date=May 6, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509181000/https://www.wdrb.com/derby_149/2-horses-euthanized-after-sustaining-injuries-saturday-at-churchill-downs/article_60ee0eca-ec3d-11ed-ab7c-17358032765a.html |url-status=live }} In the eighth race, Freezing Point was injured after being bumped in the backstretch and went into an equine ambulance. His injured left front ankle was reportedly put in a splint, but he was eventually euthanized.
Result
Mage won by a length with a time of 2:01.57. Initially, he broke slowly and was near the back of the pack. Verifying, Kingsbarns and Reincarnate set a fast pace with fractions of :22.35, :45.73 and 1:10.11. Mage was in sixth place by the mile marker. He charged to the outside of Two Phil's, overtook Two Phil's down the stretch and held off Two Phil's and Angel of Empire for the win.{{cite web| title=Mage wins star-crossed Kentucky Derby amid 7th death| url=https://apnews.com/article/2023-kentucky-derby-live-updates-02c48f133ca75e513fceb967eff75495| last1=Harris| first=Beth| date=May 6, 2023| publisher=Associated Press| access-date=May 8, 2023| archive-date=May 7, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507212713/https://apnews.com/article/2023-kentucky-derby-live-updates-02c48f133ca75e513fceb967eff75495?utm_source=apnewsnav&utm_medium=featured| url-status=live}}{{cite news| title=Lightly raced Mage wins the 2023 Kentucky Derby for his connections from Venezuela| url=https://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/kentucky-derby/article274780721.html| last1=Drummond| first1=Cameron| newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader}}{{cite web| title=Mage Rallies to Thrilling Kentucky Derby Victory| url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/268436/mage-rallies-to-thrilling-kentucky-derby-victory| last1=King| first1=Byron| website=Bloodhorse.com| date=6 May 2023| access-date=May 8, 2023| archive-date=May 7, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507175307/https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/268436/mage-rallies-to-thrilling-kentucky-derby-victory| url-status=live}}
Mage had only one win before the Kentucky Derby. Mage became the fourth horse to win the Kentucky Derby after having only three previous starts, joining Justify, Big Brown and Regret. He also became the fourth horse to win the Kentucky Derby without racing as a two-year old, joining Justify and Apollo. It is the first Kentucky Derby win for jockey Javier Castellano and trainer Gustavo Delgado.
Mage is owned by OGMA Investments, Ramiro Restrepo, Sterling Racing and Commonwealth Thoroughbreds, a micro-shares company that sells shares to back the career of an athlete or horse. They banded together after Restrepo and Delgado bought Mage for $290,000, which was above their initial budget.
Track condition: fast
Times: {{frac|1|4}} mile – 22.35; {{frac|1|2}} mile – 45.73; {{frac|3|4}} mile – 1:10.11; mile – 1:36.06; final – 2:01.57.
Splits for each quarter-mile: (22.35) (23:38) (24:38) (25:95) (25:51)
= Payouts =
The table below provides the Kentucky Derby payout schedule for a $2 stake.{{cite web |date=May 6, 2023 |title=2023 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve Grade 1 (race 12) |url=http://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=12&BorP=P&TID=CD&CTRY=USA&DT=05/06/2023&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |accessdate=May 7, 2023 |website=Equibase |archive-date=May 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507061705/https://www.equibase.com/premium/eqbPDFChartPlus.cfm?RACE=12&BorP=P&TID=CD&CTRY=USA&DT=05/06/2023&DAY=D&STYLE=EQB |url-status=live }}
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
Program number
! Horse name ! width="40px" | Win ! width="40px" | Place ! width="40px" | Show |
---|
8
| style="text-align: left;" | Mage | $32.42 | $14.58 | $9.08 |
3
| style="text-align: left;" | Two Phil's | — | $10.44 | $6.52 |
14
| style="text-align: left;" | Angel of Empire | — | — | $4.70 |
- $2 exacta (8–3): $330.44
- $0.50 trifecta (8–3–14): $491.18
- $1 superfecta (8–3–14–11): $15,643.65
- $1 Super High Five (8–3–14–11–1): $194,923.09
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
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{{S-start}}
{{s-bef|before=2022 Belmont Stakes}}
{{s-ttl|title=Triple Crown}}
{{s-aft|after=2023 Preakness Stakes}}
{{S-end}}
{{Kentucky Derby}}
{{Thoroughbred Racing on NBC}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kentucky Derby, 2023}}