The 2023 Run for the Roses takes place on Saturday, May 6. Like in almost every Derby, the race appears to be wide-open. Will Forte continue his domination? Will Tapit Trice become sire Tapit’s fist Kentucky Derby winner? See below for trifecta, superfecta, and exacta Kentucky Derby picks.

2023 Kentucky Derby Race Info

Horse Groom
A winning team.#KyDerby pic.twitter.com/e6XDchRbFX

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) May 3, 2023

• When: Saturday, May 6, 2023. 2:30 pm EST
• Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
• TV/Streaming: Peacock
• Distance & Surface: 1 ¼ miles on dirt

READ MORE: 2023 Kentucky Derby Odds, Schedule & Preview

2023 Kentucky Derby Trifecta Play

Ticket #1

• First: 14-Angel of Empire
• Second Slot: 1-Hit Show, 2-Verifying, 5-Tapit Trice, 16-Derma Sotogake
• Third Slot: 1-Hit Show, 2-Verifying, 3-Two Phil’s, 5-Tapit Trice, 6-Kingsbarns, 16-Derma Sotogake

Trifecta plays can get crazy expensive. The way to keep the funds at a reasonable level is to shave two horses off the bottom of your exacta for the second slot. So instead of using six runners to finish second, we’re using four.

Hit Show is the biggest overlay on the board. If the Brad Cox runner goes off anywhere close to 30-to-1, you’re getting huge value. Verifying, Tapit Trice, and Derma Sotogake should be right there as they turn for home.

We’re adding Two Phil’s and Kingsbarns into the third slot along with our four runners from the second slot.

Ticket #2

• First: 1-Hit Show, 2-Verifying, 5-Tapit Trice, 16-Derma Sotogake
• Second Slot: 14-Angel of Empire
• Third Slot: 1-Hit Show, 2-Verifying, 3-Two Phil’s, 5-Tapit Trice, 6-Kingsbarns, 16-Derma Sotogake

If right about Angel of Empire, the Cox runner should finish no worse than second. If Hit Show wins, the trifecta is going to explode should one of our choices finish third.

So it makes sense to place Angel of Empire in second and to put Hit Show, Verifying, Tapit Trice, and Derma Sotogake on top.

The trifecta tickets constructed above equal $20 for $1. So two trifecta tickets constructed the same way equals $40 for $1.

Total Trifecta Investment: $40

2023 Kentucky Derby Superfecta Ticket

• First: 14-Angel of Empire
• Second: 1-Hit Show, 2-Verifying, 5-Tapit Trice, 16-Derma Sotogake
• Third: 1-Hit Show, 2-Verifying, 3-Two Phil’s, 5-Tapit Trice, 6-Kingsbarns, 16-Derma Sotogake
• Foruth: 1-Hit Show, 2-Verifying, 3-Two Phil’s, 5-Tapit Trice, 6-Kingsbarns, 16-Derma Sotogake

Superfectas are more difficult to hit than exactas, trifectas, and even Pick 4’s. It makes sense to keep our super tickets to a low-cost.

We’re adding two horses to the fourth slot: 8-Mage and 9-Skinner. Mage ran great in the Florida Derby and will be closing. Skinner goes second time for John Shirreffs. Both can run into the fourth-place.

A $1 superfecta will cost us $100.

Total Superfecta Investment: $100

Ticket #2

• First: 1-Hit Show, 2-Verifying, 5-Tapit Trice, 16-Derma Sotogake
• Second Slot: 14-Angel of Empire
• Third Slot: 1-Hit Show, 2-Verifying, 3-Two Phil’s, 5-Tapit Trice, 6-Kingsbarns, 16-Derma Sotogake

If right about Angel of Empire, the Cox runner should finish no worse than second. If Hit Show wins, the trifecta is going to explode should one of our choices finish third.

So it makes sense to place Angel of Empire in second and to put Hit Show, Verifying, Tapit Trice, and Derma Sotogake on top.

The trifecta tickets constructed above equal $20 for $1. So two trifecta tickets constructed the same way equals $40 for $1.

Total Trifecta Investment: $40

2023 Kentucky Derby Exacta Ticket

• Key Horse: 14-Angel of Empire
• Use in the Exacta: 1-Hit Show, 2-Verifying, 3-Two Phil’s, 5-Tapit Trice, 6-Kingsbarns, 16- Derma Sotogake

Angel of Empire has the requisite cruising speed and elongated closing kick that can lead to a Derby victory. The Brad Cox trained equine has run faster with each race. Not only that, but since Angel of Empire didn’t produce a huge speed rating in his final prep, the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, he has yet to peak.

Verifying, Hit Show, Tapit Trice, Kingsbarns, and Derma Sotogake won’t be far off the pace. Two Phil’s will be closing like Angel of Empire. So if the front-runners go at it early, the closers could finish 1-2.

Reverse the exacta so the six runners we use on the bottom in the exacta are on top of Angel of Empire. One way at $2 equals $12. So both ways at $2 equals $24.

Total Exacta Investment for $2: $24

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