There are officially 40 days until the 2023 running of the Kentucky Derby, with just over five weeks remaining until the first Saturday in May. The current points standings have begun to show the early dimensions of the 20-horse field for the Run for the Roses.
Last Saturday's prep race winners are all expected to target the race: Two Phil's, winner of the G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park, leads the group with 123 points on the board. Derma Sotogake, the Japanese winner of the G2 UAE Derby in Dubai, is expected to ship to Kentucky and holds position two on the leaderboard with 100 points. Kingsbarn, winner of the G2 Louisiana Derby, is ranked third on the leaderboard with 100 points.
In addition, UAE Derby third Continuar has accepted an invitation to compete in the Kentucky Derby for accruing 40 points in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby series. Continuar has accepted the automatic invitation, which will be ranked as No. 20, so 19 horses from the American Road to the Kentucky Derby will be able to earn entry in the starting gate.
Sunday's winner of the G3 Sunland Derby, longshot Wild On Ice, was not nominated to the Triple Crown at the time of his victory; the late nominations fee of $6,000 was paid by the due date, Monday (March 27), reports drf.com, but the colt's status remains up in the air. The win earned him 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, placing Wild On Ice 10th on the leaderboard.
Next weekend's major prep race action includes the G1 Florida Derby and G1 Arkansas Derby. The former is highlighted by Forte, the 2-year-old champion last year and easy winner of the G2 Fountain of Youth in his only start of 2023. Forte already ranks fourth on the leaderboard with 90 points, and could earn another 100 points with a victory in the Florida Derby.
The Arkansas Derby, also worth 100 points to the winner, has drawn several horses from the current top 20 on the leaderboard. They include: Angel of Empire (54), Rocket Can (40), and Red Route One (33).
The full top 20 is as follows:
- Two Phil's (123)
- Derma Sotogake (100)
- Kingsbarn (100)
- Forte (90)
- Practical Move (60)
- Confidence Game (57)
- Angel of Empire (54)
- Raise Cain (54)
- Tapit Trice (50)
- Wild On Ice (50)
- Jace's Road (45)
- Dura Erede (40)
- Major Dude (40)
- Rocket Can (40)
- Disarm (40)
- Sun Thunder (34)
- Red Route One (33)
- Instant Coffee (32)
- Funtastic Again (30)
- ***Continuar, Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby invitee
The full Kentucky Derby leaderboard, updated after the action on March 26, is available here: 20230326 Road to Kentucky Derby Leaderboard
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