2023 Kentucky Derby Rankings 2/1/23: Arabian Knight Moves Up After Impressive Southwest Stakes Win – Racing Dudes

Welcome to the 2023 Kentucky Derby Rankings! Every week main as much as the race, we are going to present our Prime 20 Kentucky Derby Prospects, in addition to updates with the most recent information on every horse.

Go to our Kentucky Derby web page for the most recent information, rankings, prep race schedules, the Kentucky Derby level standings, and far more!

1. Forte

Execs: Three Grade 1 victories as a 3-year-old; clear Eclipse Award winner.

Cons: Did he peak too quickly? It’s exhausting to carry your kind for so long as he shall be requested to do.

Outlook: He’s the clear chief within the clubhouse coming into 2023. It looks like he getting higher with every race, whereas his pedigree suggests he ought to have the ability to deal with the additional distance when the time comes. He’s had two works this season as he appears to make his 3-year-old debut within the subsequent spherical of preps.

2. Arabian Knight

Execs: Sensational debut at Keeneland; blowout win within the Southwest Stakes (G3); stable coach and pedigree

Cons: He’ll have to alter trainers by March 1st

Outlook: He handed his first take a look at with flying colours in a dominant effort within the Southwest Stakes (G3). What occurs subsequent shall be attention-grabbing as he should transfer from the Baffert barn by March 1st to earn Derby factors. No matter occurs, there isn’t any doubt this horse has main expertise.

2. Cave Rock

Execs: Two-time Grade 1 winner as a 2-year-old; was the heavy Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) favourite.

Cons: Disenchanted on the Breeders’ Cup in an enormous means; nonetheless no exercises this 12 months.

Outlook: This Bob Baffert trainee had a ton of hype heading into the Breeders’ Cup, and rightfully so, as he had been flawless main up the race. He didn’t present up together with his greatest effort, although, which is regarding. Can he bounce again? We nonetheless haven’t seen a exercise from him this 12 months.

4. Immediate Espresso

Execs: Massive winner of the Lecomte Stakes (G3) provides him again to again graded stakes scored; stable distance pedigree and coach

Cons: Nonetheless missing a bit from a velocity determine standpoint; misplaced to some horses on this checklist within the Breeders’ Futurity (G1).

Outlook: The Brad Cox trainee was in a position to overcome a poor begin to win the Lecomte Stakes (G3) and will transfer ahead properly off of that effort. He now has again to again graded stakes scores, which makes our high two horses look even higher.

5. Victory Formation

Execs: Undefeated 3 for 3 with a latest win within the Smarty Jones Stakes; stable coach

Cons: Pace figures are a bit low

Outlook: This undefeated colt hasn’t been overly flashy; nonetheless, he has proven stable expertise in every of his wins. He’s sired by a Belmont Stakes winner, and appears like a horse that ought to get higher because the distances get longer.

6. Big Mischief

Execs: Strong flip of foot; Brad Cox

Cons: Pedigree might hold him from going lengthy

Outlook: He has proven an superior flip of foot and appears to be extraordinarily gifted. How lengthy can he go? That’s the massive query mark.

7. Further Anejo

Execs: Sensational debut at Keeneland that left everybody buzzing

Cons: At present injured; just one begin which got here in a 7-furlong race

Outlook: Can he get again in time to get on the path and make an affect? The expertise is there, with none doubt, however the timing of his setback will not be perfect. Nevertheless, he’s again with the Asmussen barn now, which is a superb first step.

8. Reincarnate

Execs: Two massive wins in a row; Bob Baffert; distance shouldn’t be an issue

Cons: Pace figures are nonetheless a bit low; a number of losses on the resume

Outlook: It’s potential this horse might be getting higher with every begin. He confirmed great coronary heart holding off all challenges in his Sham Stakes (G3) victory.

9. Nationwide Treasure

Execs: Ought to get higher as distances get longer; Bob Baffert

Cons: A number of losses on the resume; not aggressive with the highest horses within the crop up to now

Outlook: There is no such thing as a doubt his third place effort within the Sham Stakes (G3) was disappointing. He may simply be a “hit the board” sort till we see him make a leap up and win one in every of these massive races.

10. Pink Route One

Execs: Has hit the board in a number of massive races; confronted the very best horses within the crop

Cons: By no means been a risk to profitable since his maiden victory

Outlook: Keep in mind Lookin At Lee? This horse is a lot like him it’s not even humorous. You shouldn’t count on him to win; nonetheless, he’s one you may play beneath with confidence in all these massive races main as much as the Derby.

11. Verifying

Execs: Quick latest allowance rating; great pedigree; stable coach

Cons: Was no match for the highest horses within the crop as a 2-year-old

Outlook: This one might be creating properly heading into what ought to be a prep race subsequent outing. The expertise and the pedigree is there, whereas his 97 beyer in opposition to allowance foes at Oaklawn Park was greater than any of the Kentucky Derby preps up to now this season.

 12. Faustin

Execs: Nice Pedigree; ought to enhance going longer

Cons: Nonetheless appears to be a little bit behind from a timing standpoint; velocity figures nonetheless a little bit mild

Outlook: The stretch out in distance goes to be the important thing for this horse. His races have been stable up to now, however he initiatives to get a lot better stretching out in distance, which he’ll need to do to maneuver up the rankings.

13. Curly Jack

Execs: Strong efforts in a number of stakes races; loads of expertise

Cons: No match for the highest horses but; velocity figures a tad low

Outlook: This looks like a very good “hit the board” sort of horses alongside the Kentucky Derby Path. He has proven capability, although, and has the category to make an affect this season.

14. Dubyuhnell

Execs: Latest Remsen Stakes (G2) win was good; ought to deal with this distance

Cons: Pace figures are a tad low; caught the very best a part of the monitor on Remsen day at Aqueduct.

Outlook: We’re all the time a little bit leery of the Remsen Stakes (G2); nonetheless, it did produce two good horses final season. We are going to take a wait and see strategy with him. His subsequent begin ought to be this weekend within the Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct.

15. Lugan Knight

Execs: Has run properly in opposition to stable horse; good prep win within the Jerome

Cons: Pace figures are a minimize beneath the highest horses; distance limitations are potential

Outlook: He makes his debut on the checklist after a stable win within the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct. We are going to see if he can progress because the distances get longer, which can be an issue.

16. Frosted Departure

Execs: Strong basis; appears to be enhancing with every race

Cons: Not aggressive with the highest horses; velocity figures nonetheless low

Outlook: His 3-year-old debut was stable, operating third within the Southwest Stakes (G3), regardless of chasing Arabian Knight the entire race. He can transfer ahead off of that race, whereas the horse ought to get a number of possibilities with McPeek coaching.

17. Newgate

Execs: Second in again to again stable races; Bob Baffert

Cons: Only one win in 5 begins; velocity figures are missing

Outlook: This horse has confirmed to be constant; nonetheless, he has had hassle ending the job. He had each likelihood to win the Sham Stakes (G3) however couldn’t get by Reincarnate. We are going to see him this weekend within the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita.

18. Cyclone Mischief

Execs: Latest effort appears adequate; ought to get higher with extra distance

Cons: Inconsistent up to now; should step up and show he can win a graded stakes

Outlook: We’ll see if this Dale Romans trainee can actually leap onto the Derby scene on this weekend’s Holy Bull Stakes (G3). The sector appears mild and he is available in off of a formidable allowance win, which he ought to have the ability to parlay into success this weekend.

19. Sensible Transfer

Execs: Picked up an enormous win within the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).

Cons: A number of losses on the resume; velocity figures are nonetheless a little bit low

Outlook: He is perhaps enhancing on the proper time after a stable win within the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). Typically, what occurs at Los Alamitos stays at Los Alamitos, although, so he nonetheless has some proving to do.

20. Blazing Sevens

Execs: Stylish horse; Grade 1 winner as a 2-year-old; stable coach

Cons: Pace figures are low; was not aggressive on the Breeders’ Cup

Outlook: Chad Brown appears to have a stable horse right here; nonetheless, he gave the impression to be a minimize beneath the very best horses on the Breeders’ Cup. We have to see enchancment from him in 2023.