2023 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks fields and ML odds

Forte has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite for Saturday's $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.

The reigning juvenile champion, who enters off back-to-back wins in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) this season, has drawn post 15 in the field of 20. Post 15 has yielded three of the last 10 winners: Orb (2013), American Pharoah (2015), and Authentic (2020).

Forte is one of three entries trained by Todd Pletcher, who also saddles Blue Grass (G1) winner Tapit Trice, the 5-1 second choice, and Louisiana Derby (G2) hero Kingsbarns.

Brad Cox saddles four, including third choice Angel of Empire, the Arkansas Derby (G1) winner listed at 8-1.

Santa Anita Derby (G1) victor Practical Move and Japanese invader Derma Sotogake, who captured the UAE Derby (G2), are both listed at 10-1.

The Kentucky Derby is the 12th of 14 races on Saturday at Churchill Downs, with a scheduled post time of 6:57 p.m. ET.

Brad Cox is also well represented in the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) for three-year-old fillies on Friday, as stablemates Wet Paint and Botanical will break side by side in posts 7 and 6, respectively, in the 1 1/8-mile test.

Wet Paint, the 5-2 morning line favorite, enters off of a dominating winter at Oaklawn Park, where she captured the Martha Washington S., Honeybee (G3), and Fantasy (G3). Botanical, the 4-1 second choice, played a similar role at Turfway Park, winning the Cincinnati Trophy and Bourbonette Oaks.

Also expected to attract support is Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) winner Southlawn (8-1), Rachel Alexandra (G2) heroine Pretty Mischievous (10-1), and Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) winner Affirmative Lady (10-1). 

Wonder Wheel, last year's champion two-year-old filly, was pegged at 12-1 alongside her Ashland (G1) conqueror Defining Purpose.

The Oaks anchors a 13-race program and has a scheduled post time of 5:51 p.m. ET.