Here Are the Favorites to Win the 2023 Kentucky Derby

Here are the favorites to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

It's Triple Crown season.

The 149th Kentucky Derby takes place on Saturday at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville. The Kentucky Derby is the first of three major annual horse races, followed by the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

The last time a horse won all three events in the same year was in 2018 when Justify became the 13th Triple Crown winner. But 18 horses will be hoping to take the first step toward joining that exclusive group this weekend.

Before post time at Churchill Downs, here's a look at the horses with the best odds to be crowned champion.

What are the Kentucky Derby 2023 odds?

A field that had already seen several changes saw a massive shake-up just hours before the race. Early Saturday morning, betting favorite Forte became the fifth horse to be withdrawn from the race. A reported foot injury led to Forte's removal.

That made Tapit Trice and Angel of Empire the co-betting favorites with 9-2 morning line odds. Two Phil's and Derma Sotogake trail behind at 7-1 followed by Kingsbarns at 10-1.

Practical Move had 10-1 odds before being scratched due to a fever. Lord Miles, Continuar and Skinner were further down on the odds list before also being scratched from the Derby.

Here's a full look at the odds as of Saturday morning:

• Tapit Trice, 9-2
• Angel of Empire, 9-2
• Two Phil's, 7-1
• Derma Sotogake, 7-1
• Kingsbarns, 10-1
• Reincarnate, 13-1
• Confidence Game, 16-1
• Mage, 17-1
• Verifying, 17-1
• Mandarin Hero, 21-1
• Disarm, 24-1
• Hit Show, 26-1
• Rocket Can, 27-1
• Sun Thunder, 30-1
• Raise Cain, 30-1
• Jace's Road, 32-1
• King Russell, 32-1
• Cyclone Mischief, 33-1

What are the Kentucky Derby 2023 post positions?

Here's a look at the post position each horse will start from:

1. Hit Show

2. Verifying

3. Two Phil's

4. Confidence Game

5. Tapit Trice

6. Kingsbarns

7. Reincarnate

8. Mage

9. Disarm

10. Jace's Road

11. Sun Thunder

12. Angel of Empire

13. Raise Cain

14. Derma Sotogake

15. Rocket Can

16. Cyclone Mischief

17. Mandarin Hero

18. King Russell

Who won the 2022 Kentucky Derby?

Last year's Kentucky Derby saw a stunning result as Rich Strike came out of nowhere to win the race. After entering with 80-1 odds, Rich Strike pulled off the second-biggest upset in the event's history.