Justify the last horse to win Triple Crown in 2018 featured in our 2023 Triple Crown betting
Horse Racing

2023 Triple Crown Betting: Forte Favored Ahead Of Kentucky Derby

The 2023 Triple Crown is nearly upon us and on May 6 at 6.57 pm ET, we’ll hear the thunder of hooves as they blast away from the gates for the first leg which is the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, also known as the “Run For The Roses,” and your favorite is the Todd Pletcher trained Forte.

The Triple Crown is one of the most iconic series of sports events, not just in terms of US racing but for racing worldwide.

The Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes are the three races that form the Triple Crown, but it is not just the feat of winning three races to be crowned the champion. The horse needs to achieve this at three different distances at three different racetracks over a period of just six weeks.

It is the holy grail of racing and probably why only thirteen horses have ever achieved the feat, with the very first of those being Sir Barton in 1919 and the last of them to conquer the task being Justify in 2018.

Top Five Triple Crown Betting Favorites

Here's a look a couple of horses that could be in contention to win the 2023 Triple Crown:

Forte: +1200

Currently the +300 (3/1) chalk for the Kentucky Derby odds and is +1200 (12/1) to complete the Triple Crown.

He has been a constant improver since winning the Breeders Cup Futurity at Keeneland last November and will be a tough nut to crack.

Tapit Trice: +3300

Currently the +500 (5/1) second favorite for the Kentucky Derby. He is chalked up at +3300 (33/1) to become the 14th winner of the Triple Crown.

The feeling is, that although he could win the Kentucky Derby, any bid for the Triple Crown may be put on ice, as he looks much more like a potential Belmont Stakes winner to me.

Derma Sotogake: +4000

A highly impressive winner last time in the UAE Derby where he literally played with his rivals. Current racebook odds for the Kentucky Derby are +600 (6/1) and he is chalked up at a whopping +4000 (40/1) for the Triple Crown odds.

As long as the draw is kind, he is very dangerous and will attempt to go gate to wire in the Derby.

Practical Move: +4000

Won the San Felipe in March and doubled up by taking the Santa Anita Derby a month later.

He was very impressive in the San Felipe, and a repeat performance will put him right there on Kentucky Derby day. He is a +800 (8/1) shot for the Kentucky Derby and +4000 (40/1) chance for The Triple Crown.

Angel Of Empire: +5000

Sure to be one of the popular choices with both the pros and the once-a-year bettors just because of his name.

He is at +800 (8/1) and this strong mid-pack stalker must be fancied for the second leg of the Triple Crown which is for the speed horses over a mile and 3/16. He is currently +5000 (50/1) to win the Triple Crown.

Triple Crown Props

Props are more suited to the seasoned handicapper. But we won't put you off, and if you are a novice, you can check out our Kentucky Derby props post here.

For The Triple Crown itself, the prop betting is pretty limited with "will there be a triple crown winner?"

Will There Be A Triple Crown Winner Odds
OutcomeOdds
Yes+1000
No-2000

As we said earlier and as history proves, the Triple Crown is a tough nut to crack so YES is definitely a longshot here.

What Are The Triple Crown Races?

The Kentucky Derby is billed as “The most exciting two minutes in sport” and for race fans, that is exactly what it is.

The run at Churchill Downs over a distance of 1.25 miles, this first leg of the triple crown tests both speed and stamina and takes a horse with both in abundance.

The last five winners of The Kentucky Derby were:

  • 2022 Rich Strike
  • 2021 Mandaloun
  • 2020 Authentic
  • 2019 Country House
  • 2018 Justify (Triple Crown Winner)

The Preakness Stakes

The second leg of the Triple Crown is the shortest of the three legs and tests speed, and is run over a distance of 1 3/16 miles.

The Preakness Stakes is run at the famous Pimlico racecourse in Baltimore, Maryland where the infamous duel between the legendary Seabiscuit and War Admiral took place in 1938

The last five winners of The Preakness Stakes were:

  • 2022 Early Voting
  • 2021 Rombauer
  • 2020 Swiss Skydiver
  • 2019 War of Will
  • 2018 Justify (Triple Crown Winner)

The Belmont Stakes

The third and final leg of the Triple Crown is the longest of the three legs and focuses on stamina being run over a distance of 1 ½ miles.

The Belmont Stakes is run at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

The last five winners of The Belmont Stakes were:

  • 2022 Mo Donegal
  • 2021 Essential Quality
  • 2020 Tiz the Law
  • 2019 Sir Winston
  • 2018 Justify (Triple Crown Winner)

Why is the Triple Crown so hard to win?

A Triple Crown winner is truly an exceptional racehorse that has to have a blend of speed to win the middle leg which is The Preakness Stakes but must also have the stamina to win the last leg, The Belmont Stakes over a mile and a half.

Just looking at the first leg of the Triple Crown, which is the Kentucky Derby, with 20 runners and a breakneck pace from start to finish, this race itself can take an enormous amount out of a horse.

Any horse that wants to be crowned a true champion has to travel 1000 miles between the three venues, but the toughest thing about winning the Triple Crown is that the three races take place within a short six-week window.

Most racehorses would normally run just once in a six-week period, so running three times against the very best there is, takes a special animal to succeed.

How to Bet on The Triple Crown

As we get closer to the Kentucky Derby, horseplayers are looking for tips and our expert has already written a number of posts about Triple Crown betting and the Kentucky Derby.

These include looking at the main Kentucky Derby contenders, and a full guide of our Kentucky Derby picks, while for expert handicappers, there’ll be a special section uploaded on the various Kentucky Derby props from various racebooks.

Triple Crown Betting FAQ

What is the Triple Crown?

The Triple Crown is a title awarded to a three-year-old thoroughbred horse who wins the Kentucky Derby race, the Preakness Stakes race and the Belmont Stakes race. These three horse races were inaugurated in different years, the last being the Kentucky Derby in 1875. Only 13 horses have ever won the Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing.

Can I bet on the Triple Crown?

Yes, you can bet on the Triple Crown. You would be wagering on a horse to win not only the Kentucky Derby, but the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes as well. You can bet on a horse to win all three of those horse racing events or you can bet on each horse race separately.

Who was the last Triple Crown winner?

Justify was the last three-year-old thoroughbred to win the Triple Crown in 2018, and won it fairly easily. The first horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes was Sir Barton in 1919. Bob Baffert was the trainer for both Justify and American Pharoah, who also won the Triple Crown in 2015.

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