As the Equestrian community gears up for the spectacular Kentucky Derby, everyone’s favorite horse for the 2023 edition of the Derby, Forte has arrived at Churchill Downs. The 3-year-old foal has earned the status of fan-favorite among spectators with its remarkable victories in the past year. The colt’s racing record is piled with wins at Hopeful (G1), Fountain of Youth (G2), Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and an unanticipated win at Florida Derby (G1).

With 190 points, Forte is the first in the line of the top 20 horses competing for the Derby, and the stakes, are high. Owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, Forte was bred by former DC Lawyer, Amy Moore, who shared some interesting facts about Forte.

Amy Moore spills beans on Forte’s attitude as a newborn

Moore took to horse breeding after retiring from her day job. A year prior to purchasing a 126-acre South Gate Farm, in 2015, Moore bought Queen Caroline, the future mother of the present-day Derby favorite. Before venturing into breeding, Moore raced Queen Caroline with a winning streak amassing $400,000. 

Then began Moore’s quest for the perfect sire for Queen Caroline to give breeding a chance. She settled for Violence as a sire after a couple of months of rigorous search. Violence had distinct traits of being precocious and a successful runner on dirt as a two-year-old. So, one can infer where Forte’s Derby racing genes come from.

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Describing Forte, Moore remembered, “He was beautiful, very athletic, and well-made.” She reveals the biggest weakness of the foal by saying” He would hide behind his mother when you went into the stall to see him.” However, Forte’s attitude wasn’t persistent as he turned into a bold, inquisitive, and very personable horse after being weaned.

Forte’s stupendous win at Florida Derby

The win at the Florida derby secured Forte a Superstar title. There was very little hope for the colt to succeed in the race till the very mid. But the horse titled the game by jolting forward to ace the race like a pro. He was just 30 yards away from the winning streak when he surpassed all of his competitors.

The spectacular and out-of-blue win was celebrated by his trainer Todd Pletcher. As quoted by Los Angeles Times, he said,” It looked like he had work to do still at the eighth pole but then he really kicked it in the last part and found his best stride in the last sixteenth” of a mile. The Florida win has only raised the hopes of Derby lovers as they anticipate Forte to be honored with a blanket of roses.

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